Wellness and Nutrition in Optometry School

Introduction

If you’re reading this, you’re likely deep in the world of optometry school—late nights of studying optics, endless case reviews, clinical simulations, exams and the mounting pressure of learning to care for patients. I won’t sugarcoat it: this journey is hard. It’s demanding. It’s stressful. And many of us enter it full of excitement and idealism, only to discover that our resources (time, energy, sleep, healthy meals) start shrinking quickly.

In that scramble, it’s easy to let your wellness slip. I’ve been there. I remember a stretch when I was so consumed in a project, plus working part‐time, that I started relying on takeout meals, skipping breakfast, grabbing energy drinks and neglecting vegetables. It seemed “just for a little while.” But soon enough, I had more frequent headaches, poorer focus, a creeping sense of fatigue, even some eyestrain and blurry vision when I was tired. I realized: If I’m not well, I can’t bring my best self to patients, or to my learning.

That realization is what I want you to hold on to: in order to take care of patients, you must take care of yourself. Your body, your mind, your nutrition, your sleep—these are not optional extra credits. They are foundational to everything you are building.

Why wellness and nutrition matter in optometry school

1. Cognitive performance and focus: Optometry school requires rigorous attention, fast processing, clinical reasoning, sometimes long days on your feet, and multiple tasks at Good nutrition supports brain function, stable moods, and sustained energy.
2. Physical resilience: Standing for long hours, moving from classroom to clinic, sometimes on call, or doing practicals—your body needs fuel and recovery.
3. Modeling for patients: As future eye care professionals, you will counsel patients on healthy vision habits, including nutrition and But that message has more integrity when you live it. Plus, it gauges your credibility.
4. Long-term career sustainability: If we burn out in school and neglect our health now, we risk early fatigue, illness or dissatisfaction in Your career is a marathon, not a sprint.

What OWNS offers that can help you as a student

• Free resources: On their website, you’ll find articles and news, course recordings and insights into burnout among optometrists. This is gold for us, navigating workload and stress.

• Continuing education (CE) opportunities: If you become a member, OWNS lists “6 hours of COPE-approved CE annually, along with monthly email and blog updates on the latest in nutrition ” This helps you stay current and credible.

• Access to evidence-based summaries: For example, they offer the guide Wellness Essentials for Clinical Practice – 4th This gives you up-to-date info you can use not only for your own health, but eventually for educating patients.

• Networking and professional development: Becoming part of a community like OWNS means you’re not isolated in your health journey; you’re connecting with peers and experts who care about ocular wellness through

Practical tips for students of optometry

• Schedule your wellness like you schedule your clinic hours. If you block 15 minutes for a healthy meal or a walk, you’re more likely to follow through.

• Focus on nutrient-dense foods. In busy weeks, aim for meals with vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains and healthy fats. It doesn’t have to be fancy—but aim for

• Hydration + sleep. These two are often forgotten. Dehydration and poor sleep can exacerbate headaches, eyestrain and tiredness.

• Mindful screen habits. Between lectures, clinic software and exam prep, your eyes are working extra Use the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

• Use the resources of OWNS (and others) to stay current. When you’re overwhelmed, you don’t have to figure out everything yourself—lean on evidence-based organizations.

• Self-check. If you notice a pattern of fatigue, headaches, worsening vision or low mood—don’t dismiss it as “just school stress”. It might be signaling that your wellness needs attention.

• Perspective. Your health now is not separate from your The better you are, the better you’ll serve your patients. The more you invest in yourself, the more sustainable and fulfilling your career will be.

Final thoughts

To all the students in optometry school: you’re doing something meaningful. You’re going to be the person helping patients see clearly, maintain eye health, and often guiding them in lifestyle decisions they’ve never thought of. That’s powerful.

But you can’t pour from an empty cup. The more you attend to your wellness and nutrition now, the more you’ll be able to show up fully—energetically, mentally, physically—for your patients, your classmates, your future self. And organizations like the Ocular Wellness & Nutrition Society (OWNS) are here for exactly that: to help you stay current with nutrition science, to support whole-body and ocular wellness, and to remind you that your health matters.

If you’re interested in learning more or becoming part of a community that values wellness as much as clinical excellence, consider joining OWNS as a student member. You can sign up here: https://ocularnutritionsociety.org/student-application/

Let this journey be about more than just getting through—it’s about growing, thriving and building habits that will support you through school and into your lifelong career. If you ever feel like you’re neglecting yourself in service of your studies, pause. Ask yourself: What is one small thing I can do today to support my body and mind? It could be choosing a healthy lunch over fast food, taking a 10-minute walk, or simply closing your eyes for a minute and breathing.

You’re worth the investment. Your future patients deserve a well-rested, well-fed, well-prepared you. And the best way to give is to be your best.

Stay strong and take care of yourself.

Citation:

Ocular Wellness & Nutrition Society. (2025). Ocular Wellness & Nutrition Society Website. Retrieved from https://ocularnutritionsociety.org