Optometrist

Your Fit

Income

$135K

Preparation

Extensive

Growth

8.8%

Definition
Your fit with this career
How much they earn
What they do
Job satisfaction
How to become

What is an Optometrist?

An Optometrist is a healthcare professional who specializes in examining the eyes for vision and health problems, prescribing corrective lenses, and providing treatment for certain eye conditions. They are essential in diagnosing, managing, and treating eye diseases and ensuring overall ocular health.

Sample job titles:

Optometrist, Optometry Doctor (OD), Therapeutic Optometrist

Your test results

Why this fit score?

The fit report shows your areas of fit and misfit with Optometrist.

Fit report

Test scores

The scores report summarizes what we learned about you. It shows your results on everything measured in the career test.

Scores report

How much does an Optometrist earn

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical income (in USD) in 2024 was...

Bottom 10%	Bottom 25%	Median (average)	Top 25%	Top 10%
$70K per year	$103K per year	$135K per year	$164K per year	$203K per year

Compared to other careers: Median is $85K above the national average.

See income by country/state/province

What does an Optometrist do?

Work environment

Optometrists typically work in private optometry clinics, retail vision care centers, or healthcare facilities. Their work environment is well-lit and equipped with specialized eye examination tools. They may work regular business hours, but some optometrists offer weekend or evening hours to accommodate patients' schedules.

Quick task list

Conducts eye exams to assess vision and identify eye health problems.
Prescribes eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other visual aids.
Diagnoses diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal disorders.
Provides pre- and post-operative care for eye surgery patients.
Educates patients on eye health, including advising on visual hygiene and preventive practices.

See full list of tasks with expert relevance ratings

Areas of specialization

Pediatric Optometry: Specializing in eye care for children, including vision development and eye health.
Geriatric Optometry: Focusing on vision care for the aging population, managing age-related ocular conditions.
Contact Lenses: Specializing in fitting contact lenses and managing related complications.
Sports Vision: Working with athletes to enhance visual performance using various visual techniques and aids.
Ocular Disease: Specializing in the management of chronic eye diseases and conditions.

Description

Optometry is a fulfilling and dynamic healthcare profession. Optometrists play a crucial role in maintaining ocular health and vision, which are integral to quality of life and everyday functioning. They conduct comprehensive eye exams, which are vital for detecting vision problems and eye diseases at early stages. Optometrists must stay updated with the latest advancements in eye care, treatment techniques, and optical technology.

The profession demands a combination of clinical expertise and interpersonal skills. Optometrists need to communicate effectively with patients, understanding their concerns and providing clear explanations about eye health and care. They also require good business and management skills, particularly if they run their own practice.

Optometry offers a balanced lifestyle with regular hours, unlike some other healthcare professions which can be more demanding in terms of hours and on-call commitments. It provides opportunities for long-term patient relationships and community involvement. Moreover, the increasing use of digital devices and an aging population contribute to a growing demand for eye care services.

Job Satisfaction

Sources of satisfaction

Enhancing patients' quality of life through vision correction and eye care.
Engaging in patient care with a relatively balanced work-life schedule.
The intellectual challenge and ongoing learning in a rapidly advancing field.
Opportunities for building long-term patient relationships.

You might make a good Optometrist if you are...

Interested in healthcare, particularly eye health and vision care.
Detail-oriented, with good hand-eye coordination for conducting eye exams and procedures.
An effective communicator, able to explain medical terms in an understandable way.
Compassionate and patient, with a desire to help people improve their quality of life.
Interested in a healthcare career with regular hours and lower emergency demands.

Pros:

Stable and rewarding career with a good work-life balance.
High demand for eye care services, offering job security.
Opportunities for private practice ownership or varied employment settings.

Cons:

Lengthy educational and licensing process.
Substantial investment required if opening a private practice.
Potential for repetitive tasks and prolonged periods of close-up work.

How to become an Optometrist

Typical education

To become an Optometrist, one needs to complete a 4-year undergraduate degree followed by a 4-year Doctor of Optometry (OD) program, totaling approximately 8 years of post-secondary education. Additionally, some optometrists opt for a 1-year residency for further specialization.

High school preparation

Courses:

Sciences, particularly biology and physics, to build a foundation for understanding vision and eye anatomy.
Mathematics for developing problem-solving skills.
Health or anatomy classes to gain basic knowledge of human health.

Extra-Curricular Activities:

Volunteering in healthcare settings, like clinics or hospitals.
Joining science clubs or participating in science fairs.
Shadowing an optometrist to gain firsthand insight into the profession.

Preparation after high school

Completing a bachelor's degree with a focus on pre-optometry or sciences.
Gaining admission to and completing a Doctor of Optometry program.
Completing an optional residency in a specialization area.
Obtaining licensure to practice optometry.

More resources

American Optometric Association (AOA) - Provides resources, education, and advocacy for optometrists.
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) - Offers information on optometry programs and careers.
Optometry Times - A publication for the latest news and research in optometry.
National Board of Examiners in Optometry - Information about the national board exams for optometry licensure.
EyeCare America - A public service program providing eye care resources and education.

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