A recent Women In Optometry Poll asked readers whether they feel a name change is necessary or desirable as life circumstances change.

Thirty-five percent of respondents reported using the name that’s on their diploma exclusively. Thirty-four percent say they use their name at graduation in practice but use a different name in their personal life. Thirty-one percent say their name does not match what’s on their diploma. Several respondents said they have changed their name more than once since graduation.

For those who use a different name than what’s on their diploma, 44 percent say that most people do not notice that the name on the diploma is different. However, 21 percent say they are asked about it once in a while, and 4 percent say they are asked about it all the time.

The decision on whether to change a name professionally triggers a series of tasks, with reporting it to various agencies and licensing boards, so many female ODs do not take the decision lightly.

Ninety-five percent of respondents were female ODs, and 5 percent were non-OD females.