One of our greatest privileges as optometrists is helping patients preserve the precious gift of sight. But while we work diligently to protect vision, our profession faces a critical challenge: a shortage of optometrists. This shortage, coupled with a declining applicant pool, calls for proactive efforts to secure the future of optometry.

Dr. Connor Robbs is an optometrist and passionate advocate committed to preserving and elevating the field. Through his “Future Optometric Doctors Program,” Dr. Robbs is taking an innovative approach to inspire high school students to consider optometry as a career, addressing the pipeline issue head-on. This program, based at the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO), immerses students in real-world clinical experiences and has sparked significant interest in optometry among the youth.

Dr. Robbs’ path to optometry started early, thanks to his mother, who ran a private practice. At just ten years old, he began learning about optometry from behind the scenes, managing billing and assisting as a technician. As he grew, his mother encouraged him to consider optometry a fulfilling career combining medical expertise, patient care, and business acumen. This early exposure proved invaluable, allowing him to develop critical communication skills and a genuine appreciation for the field.

In college, Dr. Robbs’ interest in optometry expanded through academic and extracurricular involvement, including eye health and biomechanics research. He graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in 2022 and now practices at Naper Grove Vision Care. His experiences, coupled with the mentorship he received, inspired him to launch a program that offers students the same opportunities to explore optometry that he had as a teenager.

Dr. Robbs firmly believes that optometry suffers from a branding problem. “We need more optometrists,” he says, “but we also need to communicate how rewarding this profession is to students early on.” While the field has made strides in advocating for legislative advancements and expanding the scope of practice, these efforts mean little if there aren’t enough optometrists to meet patient demand.

The “Future Optometric Doctors Program” aims to solve this issue by targeting high school students rather than focusing recruitment solely on college undergraduates. Dr. Robbs hopes to foster a sustained interest in the field and build a more robust pipeline of future optometrists by introducing students to the medical, technical, and interpersonal aspects of optometry in their formative years.

Dr. Robbs’s program has three main components, or “tiers,” each strategically developed to give students a comprehensive view of optometry.

1. 
   
2. Seeing the Science: The first tier involves taking high-resolution retinal images of each participant’s eyes. These images give students a fascinating view of their optic nerve and blood vessels, illustrating how optometry goes beyond prescribing glasses and contact lenses. Students can take home these retinal photos, providing a tangible reminder of the experience and an introduction to the medical complexities optometrists handle.
   
   
3. Shadowing in Disease-Focused Clinics: The second tier focuses on hands-on shadowing in ICO’s disease-heavy clinics, where students observe the diagnosis and treatment of various eye conditions. This immersion experience is crucial because it allows students to see the real-world impact of optometry in managing systemic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. By shadowing optometry students, they gain a firsthand understanding of the skills and knowledge needed in the profession.
   
   
4. Engaging Discussions – After the hands-on portion, students participate in a discussion led by Dr. Robbs. These sessions allow students to ask questions and reflect on their experiences, fostering a more profound interest in eye care. In one instance, students from a local high school asked questions for 45 minutes straight—highlighting the curiosity and engagement that Dr. Robbs’ program has sparked.
   

The Future Optometric Doctors Program has yielded impressive results. Since its inception three years ago, over 500 students have participated, with many expressing an interest in pursuing optometry. In surveys conducted post-program, 75-80% of participants indicated that they would like to pursue an internship or shadowing opportunity in optometry. Some high school graduates who completed the program are already enrolled in pre-optometry tracks at various colleges, solidifying their path into the field.

The program’s reach extends beyond the number of participants. Dr. Robbs has partnered with Chicago Public Schools, private schools, and suburban schools, making the program accessible to students from diverse backgrounds. This inclusivity has naturally led to a diverse pool of future applicants, which Dr. Glover commends as crucial for strengthening the optometry profession.

While Dr. Robbs’ program wasn’t initially designed with diversity as a core focus, the emphasis on inclusivity has resulted in a diverse cohort of students. “When you open doors to everyone,” he explains, “you’re surprised by the range of students interested in the medical field.” By partnering with public schools, private schools, and underrepresented communities, he has expanded the reach of optometry and provided opportunities to students who may not have considered this career otherwise.

One memorable example involved a group of Little Village High School students in Chicago. Some of these students had been awake since 3:30 a.m. to work jobs before school and attended the program despite facing significant challenges at home. Witnessing their enthusiasm, Dr. Robbs felt a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to providing these students with pathways into the profession.

As the program gains momentum, Dr. Robbs envisions expanding its reach further. However, he acknowledges that funding and resources are critical. He hopes that sharing his program’s successes will attract support from optometry practices, vendors, and organizations. Expanding the program will require more internships and employment opportunities for students—a need Dr. Robbs is eager to address.

Looking ahead, Dr. Robbs aims to establish partnerships with practices nationwide that can provide hands-on internships and shadowing opportunities. These partnerships will give students a realistic view of life as an optometrist, bridging the gap between academic exploration and real-world application.

In his ideal scenario, nationwide optometry schools and private practices would replicate the Future Optometric Doctors Program, creating a standardized pipeline for aspiring optometrists. By working together, optometry professionals can cultivate a new generation of practitioners equipped with the skills, knowledge, and passion needed to serve patients in the years to come.

Dr. Glover encapsulates the importance of Dr. Robbs’ program with a powerful call to action: “What are you doing to help push this profession forward?” For optometry to thrive, all industry stakeholders—optometrists, educators, corporate sponsors, and vendors—must invest in nurturing future talent. Dr. Robbs’ program demonstrates that introducing students to optometry early can ensure a steady stream of qualified, passionate practitioners who will safeguard vision for generations.

Dr. Robbs welcomes collaboration from those interested in supporting or replicating the Future Optometric Doctors Program. Connect with him on LinkedIn to learn more about how you can contribute to this transformative initiative. Together, we can secure the future of optometry and inspire a new generation to see the world with clarity and purpose.