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What does an Optometrist do?

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Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 4 min read

An optometrist is a medical professional who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of vision problems and eye diseases.

Optometrist job duties include:

  • Examine eyes and test patients' vision
  • Prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other corrective devices
  • Advise patients on how to care for their eyes
  • Identify abnormal conditions of the eyes and refer patients to ophthalmologists
  • Educate patients about vision problems and proper eye care
  • Keep records of patients' medical histories
  • Perform administrative duties such as ordering supplies and scheduling appointments
  • Participate in continuing education and professional development activities
  • Stay up-to-date on new developments in optometry

Optometrist Job Requirements

An Optometrist is a health care professional who provides primary vision care, including refraction and prescribing glasses or contact lenses. Optometrists also provide low vision care and management of eye disorders. They examine eyes for both vision and health problems. A few states allow optometrists to perform surgical procedures, such as laser surgery for the correction of refractive error.

Education: A four-year undergraduate degree is required for admission to an accredited Doctor of Optometry (OD) program.

Certification: All 50 states and the District of Columbia require licensure in order to practice optometry. In order to be licensed, candidates must graduate from an accredited OD program and pass written and clinical exams.

Experience: Some states require optometrists to complete a one-year internship or residency program after graduation from an OD program.

Optometrist Skills

  • Eye exams
  • Prescribing glasses and contact lenses
  • Detecting eye disease
  • Coordinating with other medical professionals
  • Educating patients on eye care
  • Performing minor surgery
  • Using diagnostic equipment
  • Interpreting test results
  • Monitoring patients' progress
  • Maintaining records
  • Staying up-to-date on new developments in optometry

Related: Top Optometrist Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become an Optometrist

An optometrist is a healthcare professional who is trained to examine eyes for vision problems and prescribe corrective lenses. If you are interested in becoming an optometrist, here are a few things you need to know.

First, you will need to complete a four-year undergraduate degree at an accredited university. During your undergraduate studies, you will take courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and math. You will also need to complete a one-year clinical rotation in an optometry office or clinic.

After completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to attend an accredited optometry school. Optometry school typically takes four years to complete and includes both classroom and clinical instruction. During your time in optometry school, you will take courses in anatomy, physiology, optics, and pharmacology.

Once you have graduated from optometry school, you will need to obtain a license in order to practice. Each state has different requirements for licensure, but all states require passing the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) exams. Once you have obtained your license, you can begin practicing optometry.

Related: Optometrist Resume Example

Related: Optometrist Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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