Description
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.
Interests
- Investigative
- Social
- Realistic
Work Values
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
- Recognition
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail
- Concern for Others
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Analytical Thinking
Tasks
- 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.
- Prescribe medications to treat eye diseases if state laws permit.
- Educate and counsel patients on contact lens care, visual hygiene, lighting arrangements, and safety factors.
Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Getting Information
Detailed Work Activities
- Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
- Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Technology Skills
- Data base user interface and query software
- Medical software
- Spreadsheet software
- Accounting software
- Word processing software
Abilities
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Inductive Reasoning
- Near Vision
Skills
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
- Writing
Knowledge
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Biology
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Mathematics
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Advanced Competency in Medical OptometryCertifying Organization
National Board of Examiners in Optometry
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Treatment and Management of Ocular DiseaseCertifying Organization
National Board of Examiners in Optometry
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Diplomate, American Board of OptometryCertifying Organization
American Board of Optometry
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
National Contact Lens Examiners Advanced CertificationCertifying Organization
American Board of Opticianry and the National Contact Lens Examiners
Type
Advanced
Certificate name
Patient Assessment & Management ExamCertifying Organization
National Board of Examiners in Optometry
Type
Specialty
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $109,062 |
| Median (50%) | $130,844 |
| High (90%) | $147,665 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $122,391 |
| Mid Level | $121,629 |
| Senior Level | $123,887 |
| Expert Level | N/A |
Employability
There are currently 49,300 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 53,600 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 9%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 9%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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