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Burnout has become a familiar word in optometry, but Dr. Adam Ramsey believes it may not tell the whole story. In a solo episode of Play Chess Not Checkers, Ramsey challenges doctors to consider a different question: Are they truly burned out—or have stress, repetition and shrinking margins simply made the profession less enjoyable?
When the Business Becomes the Burden
Ramsey acknowledges that practicing optometry has changed. Greater financial pressures and tighter margins can leave practice owners working harder while feeling less fulfilled. Rather than immediately considering an exit, he encourages doctors to examine their businesses closely—reviewing expenses, pricing, vendors and profitability to identify where pressure can be relieved.
Dedicated administrative time, he argues, can create the space needed to work on the practice rather than constantly working in it.
Redesign the Practice Around Your Life
For Ramsey, reducing burnout does not necessarily require leaving optometry. It may require changing how you practice it.
He points to doctors who have built schedules around family responsibilities, reduced patient-care days or developed specialty services such as myopia management, vision therapy and specialty contact lenses. The goal is to shape the profession around the life you want rather than assuming there is only one acceptable model of practice.
Find New Ways to Use the Degree
Variety can also break the monotony. Ramsey describes speaking and lecturing as activities that give him something different to anticipate while creating additional professional opportunities. He also highlights nontraditional roles, including medical science liaison positions, as examples of how optometrists can use their training beyond routine patient care.
Find Your Village
Perhaps most importantly, Ramsey encourages doctors not to navigate difficult seasons alone. Conversations with colleagues, conferences and professional friendships can provide new ideas, perspective and renewed energy.
His message is ultimately one of intentionality: before assuming burnout means it is time to leave the profession, identify what is actually creating the frustration. Sometimes the answer may be rest. Other times, it may be restructuring the business, pursuing a new specialty, changing the schedule or simply finding something that makes the work exciting again.
