Optometry

The Profession

Expand all

Who They Are

Optometrists examine people's eyes to diagnose vision problems and eye diseases. They analyze test results and develop a treatment plan and administer drugs to patients to aid in the diagnosis of eye vision problems and prescribe drugs to treat some eye diseases.

What They Do

Optometrists use instruments and observation to examine eye health and to test patients' visual acuity, depth and color perception, and ability to focus and coordinate the eyes. often provide preoperative and postoperative care to cataract, laser vision correction, and other eye surgery patients. They also diagnose conditions due to systemic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and refer patients to other health practitioners as needed.

Where They Work

Most optometrists work in optometry offices, and many are self-employed. Other optometrists work in physician’s offices, health stores, or for the government. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Outlook

Nationally, optometry as a profession is growing faster than the national average. In the next ten years, it’s expected that 4,000 new optometry jobs will  be created. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Education

Licensed optometrists must earn a Doctor of Optometry degree from an accredited optometry school and pass a written and a clinical State board examination. Before applying to optometry school, students must take the Optometry Admissions Test, or OAT. You can find out about the OAT here.

Exploring Options