Do Women Eye Docs Make Quarters on the Dollar?

A recent AOA article reports that it appears women are drawn to optometry due to its flexibility, good work-life balance and fulfillment. However, that seems to come at a cost. Women eye docs in the U.S. earn only 60 percent of what their male colleagues earn, according to a study published in JAMA Opthalmology.

The study included more than 16,000 ophthalmologists – 20 percent of whom were women. Lower clinical activity, coupled with fewer reimbursement claims, could be fueling a noticeable gender pay. For instance the study noted that between 2012 and 2013 female doctors submitted 936 fewer Medicare charges than males.

The latest AOA Survey of Optometry Practice (2015) unfortunately found female practice owners earned about $41,000 less than their male counterparts in 2014, or about 33 percent less.