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Career Exploration

Optometrists

Also called: Optometrist, Optometry Doctor (OD), Therapeutic Optometrist

What they do:

Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment. May prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat specific eye conditions.

On the job, you would:
  • Examine eyes, using observation, instruments, and pharmaceutical agents, to determine visual acuity and perception, focus, and coordination and to diagnose diseases and other abnormalities, such as glaucoma or color blindness.
  • Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.
  • Prescribe, supply, fit and adjust eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids.
On the job, you'll need:

Health

  • medicine and dentistry
  • therapy and counseling

Math and Science

  • biology
  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Business

  • customer service
  • management

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Social

  • understanding people's reactions
  • changing what is done based on other people's actions

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information

Hand and Finger Use

  • put together small parts with your fingers
  • keep your arm or hand steady

Visual Understanding

  • see hidden patterns

Investigative

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

  • Attention to Detail
  • Concern for Others
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Cooperation

Data base user interface and query software

  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft SQL Server

Medical software

  • First Insight MaximEyes
  • VisionScience Software Acuity Pro

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $125,590

Education

Doctoral degree is usually needed.