AOA 2026: High rates of burnout, higher rates of job satisfaction

Kaleb Abbott, OD, MS, FAAO, FOWNS, an optometrist and assistant professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine who practices in a dry eye clinic, discussed his research and personal experience with professional burnout in optometry. His interest in the topic began during a period in 2022–2023 when he felt “unbelievably burnt out” and questioned whether the problem stemmed from himself, the profession of optometry, or the broader healthcare system. This led him and his colleague, Neda Gioia OD, CNS, IFMCP, FOWNS, to design and conduct a nationwide survey of approximately 1300–1400 US optometrists to assess the prevalence of burnout and identify associated risk and protective factors.

Their findings revealed that burnout is highly prevalent: about 54% of optometrists reported experiencing symptoms of burnout, a rate higher than the typical 35–50% reported for healthcare professionals generally, and roughly double that seen in non‑healthcare occupations. While the study could not definitively establish causation, it did highlight several practice-related factors associated with higher burnout. Optometrists working in departments of ophthalmology or integrated health systems such as the VA and Kaiser reported more burnout, whereas those in private practice (of any size) and those working in optometry schools tended to have lower burnout levels. Time in clinic and patient volume were also key: the more half-days spent in clinic and the more patients seen per half-day, the greater the likelihood of burnout. Severe burnout was associated with approximately 4.2 days per week in clinic, compared with 4.0 days for mild/moderate burnout and 3.8 days for those without burnout.

A striking gender disparity emerged. About 41% of male optometrists reported symptoms of burnout compared with 61% of female optometrists. A follow-up study, “Exploring Gender Differences in Professional Wellbeing,” showed that women reported higher stress, less control over workload, poorer alignment between their values and leadership, and worse scores across nearly all wellbeing domains—though they were more proficient with electronic health records than men.

Abbott also reflected on individual strategies, noting that reducing his own clinic time from 4.5 to about 3.75 days per week significantly improved his wellbeing, even when that meant seeing more patients per half-day. The data further suggest that trying to “do-it-all” in broad-spectrum primary care is stressful, whereas cultivating a clinical niche and aligning one’s schedule with areas of passion is linked to lower burnout and greater job satisfaction.

To counterbalance the discouraging nature of the first 2 studies, Abbott and colleagues undertook a third, currently unpublished study on job satisfaction. Despite high burnout rates, 68% of optometrists still report being satisfied with their jobs. Abbott underscored that while addressing burnout is critical, optometry remains a highly valued and rewarding profession for most practitioners.