Over half of the U.S. population wears corrective lenses (eyeglasses or contact lenses). Before obtaining lenses, people need an eye examination and a prescription to obtain the correct lenses for their particular eye problem. Optometrists (doctors of optometry) provide the bulk of this care.
In addition to handling vision problems, optometrists also check for disease. When evidence of disease is found, an optometrist refers the patient to the appropriate medical practitioner. Optometrists also check depth and color perception and the ability to focus and coordinate the eyes. They may prescribe corrective eye exercises or other treatments that do not require surgery. Optometrists can utilize medications for diagnosis, while in 23 states they can also treat eye diseases with drugs.
Some optometrists specialize in work with children or the aged or work only with the partially sighted who must wear microscopic or telescopic lenses. Industrial eye-safety programs also are an optometric specialty. A few optometrists are engaged in teaching and research.
Although most optometrists are in private practice, many others are in partnerships or in group practice with other optometrists or with other physicians as part of a health care team. Some work in retail vision chain stores, such as Target Optical. Many combine private, group, or partnership practice with work in specialized hospitals and eye clinics.
Some optometrists serve as commissioned officers in the armed forces. Others are consultants to engineers specializing in safety or lighting; to educators in remedial reading; and to health advisory committees of federal, state, and local governments.
Places of Employment and Working Conditions
Although most optometrists work in California, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, opportunities exist in towns and cities of all sizes.
Most self-employed optometrists can set their own work schedule but often work longer than 40 hours a week. Because the work is not physically strenuous, optometrists can practice past the normal retirement age.
Qualifications, Education, and Training
Because most optometrists are self-employed, anyone planning on a career in this field needs business ability and self-discipline in addition to the ability to deal effectively with people.
High school preparation should emphasize science, and business courses are also helpful.
The doctor of optometry degree is awarded after successful completion of at least six years of college. The two years of pre-optometrical study should include English, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology or zoology. Some schools also require psychology, social studies, literature, philosophy, and foreign languages.
Admission to optometry schools is highly competitive. Because the number of qualified applicants exceeds the available places, applicants need superior grades in pre-optometric courses to increase their chances of acceptance by one of the 16 schools and colleges of optometry approved by the Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association.
Optometrists who wish to advance in a specialized field of optometry may study for a master's or Ph.D. degree in visual science, physiological optics, neurophysiology, public health, health administration, health information and communication, or health education. Career officers in the armed forces also have an opportunity to work toward advanced degrees and to do research.
Potential and Advancement
There are about 40,600 practicing optometrists, many of them in private practice. Employment opportunities are expected to grow rapidly; the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the field is expected to grow by 27% between 2014 and 2024. Increasing coverage of optometric services by health insurance, greater recognition of the importance of good vision, and the growing population-- especially older people who are most likely to need eyeglasses--should contribute to an increase in the demand for optometrists.
Income
The average optometrist earned $103,900 in 2015, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Additional Sources of Information
American Optometric Association, St. Louis, MO 63141
