Generally all optometrists work is highly practiced, which means they work either independently or as a part of the regional or national field. Only a few of them may be found working in hospitals or in the other healthcare facilities. Some of them work in the academic settings teaching other students, doing research or working in the optical manufacturing industry.
Work activities
The optometrists work activities may involve:
- Daily communication with patients over their case history
- Patient’s eye examination and detecting the signs of injury, abnormality, vision defects or disease
- Examining the patient’s general health conditions to detect any signs or symptoms of chronic disease such as diabetes
- Usage of specialist equipment for diagnosing or testing
- Prescriptions for spectacles
- Prescriptions for contact lenses
- Consultation with his patients in order to decide if the prescribed lenses fit and correct their vision defects
- Offering daily advises and reassurance related to vision matters
- Helping patients to choose comfortable frames or lenses
- Communication with other doctors related with solving health issues for his patients
- Sharing the care for patients who are with chronic ophthalmic conditions
- Continued education and training is what every optometrist should do
Some optometrists who work in large facilities may be involved in:
- Managing the staff which may include dispensing opticians along with the clerical staff
- Training and supervising the junior staff
- Managing all the retail aspects of contact lenses, spectacles and other vision products
- Organizing, administering and developing the optometric practice
- Managing or owning an optometric practice
Salaries and job outlook
In 2024, the median annual wage for optometrists in the US was $134,830, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This figure represents the midpoint, with half of optometrists earning more and half earning less. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also projects that the employment of optometrists will grow by 9% between 2023 and 2033, which is faster than the average for all occupations.
