How to Become an Optometrist
Learn how to become an optometrist, one of the highest paying careers in healthcare for which employment in the United States is projected to grow 10%, - double the average rate. Each year, about 1,700 job openings for optometrists are expected across the country in the next decade. According to U.S. News rankings, optometrists sit at spot 37 in the best 100 jobs list, 22 in best paying jobs, and 13 in best healthcare jobs.
What Is an Optometrist?
An optometrist is a health care professional who examine patients’ eyes and diagnoses and treats a range of problems, diseases, and disorders of the eyes. Optometrists can provide general or specialized care, for example they might focus on treating infants and children only, and they may even work to teach their profession.
What Does an Optometrist Do?
The largest employers of optometrists in the U.S. are optometrists’ offices (almost 60%), physicians' offices (17%), and health and personal care stores (11%). Most optometrists are employed full time, although some also work weekends. In this role, you’ll spend most of your time working in exam rooms.
Before learning all about how to become an optometrist, let’s take a look at some typical duties you’d perform in this role:
- conducting eye exams using optometric equipment and general diagnostic interpretation
- diagnosing and treating ocular diseases
- prescribing, fitting, and adjusting eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids
- recommending appropriate patient follow-up and care options
- answering questions and providing advice to patients regarding their vision and optical issues
- delivering outstanding customer service in all patient interactions
- directing staff and assisting in the development of the practice overall
Optometrist vs Ophthalmologist
Even if our main intent here is to describe how to become an optometrist, it’s important to spend a few lines answering what is an ophthalmologist? and explaining the main differences between the two. Optometrists and ophthalmologists are both medical professionals dealing with patients’ eyes, but shouldn’t be confused with each other. While the first assist patients with their primary medical eye care needs, ophthalmologists specialize instead in treatments and care of serious eye diseases, such as cataracts and glaucoma.
Optometrist vs Optician
Another position often confused with optometrist is the optician, but the two aren’t the same. Opticians aren’t eye doctors, can’t give eye exams and can’t diagnose or treat eye diseases.
Instead, they are eye care technicians who fill patients’ prescriptions, help fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, and advise customers on eyeglass frames. The requirements to become an optician are to hold at least a high school diploma or GED, and complete either an apprenticeship or postsecondary education program, like a two-year associate degree or a one-year certificate.
How to Become an Optometrist?
So, how long does it take to become an optometrist? The short answer is at least seven to eight years. This, however, doesn’t include the 12 months or more that many graduate optometrists spend participating to an optional clinical residency, where you learn hands-on from experienced staff and are able to transition into clinical practice with more ease. There are, of course, certain optometrist requirements and skills needed to enter this profession. Plus, it’s important to understand your expected salary, potential locations, and how to find the best jobs when considering how to become an optometrist.
Optometrist Education Requirements
Regarding your optometrist education, you’re surely asking “how long is optometry school?”. Schooling for becoming an optometrist lasts four years, but first you need to spend three to four additional years attaining a bachelor’s degree, preferably in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Health Science Together these add up to at least seven to eight years of education.
Once graduated with a Doctor of Optometry degree in your hand, you’ll can apply for an optometrist license to operate in your preferred state, or continue your studies if you wish to specialize in a particular field.
Common classes in optometry school include:
- anatomy and physiology of the eye
- optics of ophthalmic lenses
- ocular manifestations of systemic diseases
- binocular vision and space perception
- ocular pharmacology
This quickly answers the question “how long schooling is for optometrists?” in simple terms, but keep in mind that to remain in the profession you’ll have to take continuing optometrist education classes and renew your license periodically as well.
Other Optometrist Requirements
Part of how to become an optometrist of success involves not only fulfilling the optometrist education requirements, but also owning highly sought-after professional skills and qualities, such as:
- strong interpersonal skills and the ability to relate to patients of diverse backgrounds
- excellent customer service skills
- the ability to comply with HIPAA confidentiality standards when accessing or communicating patient information
- general computer proficiency
- demonstrated problem-solving skills and multitasking ability
How Much Does an Optometrist Make?
Let’s get straight to the point and answer your question: “how much do eye doctors make in the United States?”. The national estimated optometrist salary averages $112,957 per year within a range of $74,004 to $134,175.
Discover how much the optometrist salary is near you when you search our salary comparison tool. Top paying metropolitan areas for optometrists include Wilmington, NC, Hartford, CT, and Saint Louis, MO.
How to Find Optometrist Jobs
After learning how to become an optometrist, it’s time to focus on what you need to find employment as one. To apply, it’s essential to prepare a well-written resume containing information about your education, experience, and skills, and a captivating cover letter to add context. When you’re ready to start your job search, check out Monster’s selection of optometrist jobs or optometrist assistant jobs.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report that the top five states with the highest concentration of optometrist jobs are:
The five U.S. metropolitan areas with the most optometrist jobs are:
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