Career Path

Optometrist

Overview

In this career, your responsibilities may include:

Examining patients’ eyes and related parts of the visual system.
Diagnosing and treating vision problems, as well as diseases and injuries of the eyes.
Evaluating whether patients’ eye and vision trouble may be a symptom of a larger health problem such as diabetes or hypertension.
Prescribing eyeglasses or contact lenses, and sometimes medication.
Performing minor surgeries on the eyes.

Job Titles

In your job search, you may find job listings for this career under different titles. You can find some examples of these, as well as more information about this career, at Career One Stop.

Academic Requirements

Typically requires a doctorate.

Certification

Certification is not required, but could make employers more likely to hire you or offer you a higher salary.

Optometry board certifications require that you have already obtained licensure and have either completed a one-year residency training program or have at least three years of active clinical practice. Voluntary post-licensure board certification from the American Board of Optometry is a way to show that you have a high level of expertise in your field.
Licensure

Licensure is required to work as an Optometrist. Some states also require that candidates pass a clinical exam or an exam on the law related to the practice of optometry.