Quick Search
college advanced search

Optometrists

Did You Know:

Admission to optometry school is competitive; only about 1 in 3 applicants was accepted in 2007. .

  • Graduation from an accredited college of optometry and a state license administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry are required.
  • Employment is expected to grow much faster than the average in response to the vision care needs of a growing and aging population.
  • Job opportunities are likely to be excellent.


    • Industry Areas

    • Offices of Other Health Practitioners
    • Offices of Physicians
    • Health and Personal Care Stores

    Day-to-Day 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.
    • Prescribe medications to treat eye diseases if state laws permit.
    • Prescribe, supply, fit and adjust eyeglasses, contact lenses and other vision aids.

    + Expand Section

    Overall Kind of Work

    Optometrists, also known as doctors of optometry, or ODs, are the main providers of vision care. They examine people's eyes to diagnose vision problems, such as nearsightedness and farsightedness,...

    + Expand Section

    Work Environment

    Military

    Optometrists work in clinics and hospitals.

    Status

    What is the difference between enlisted and officer?

    Enlisted:
    Enlisted members enter the Military with a high school diploma (in some cases a GED), at a minimum. They are employed in almost every type of military career, often in hands-on roles.

    Officers: Officers either enter the Military with a four-year college degree or greater or served previously as enlisted members, and are generally employed in management roles or highly specialized fields that require intensive training.
    • yes Officer
    • no Enlisted

    Military Breakdown

    The number of people who currently hold this career in the Military.

    300 Optometrists in the military

    Service Branches

    Optometrists work in the following services:

    Army Navy Air Force

    Type of Work

    The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.

    Data: Medium
    People: High
    Things: Medium

    Skills at a Glance

    The levels of different skills helpful in this career.

    Verbal skills: Medium
    Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Medium
    Equipment Operation & Maintenance: Medium
    Math & Science Skills: High
    Technology Design & Control: High
    Leadership: Medium

    Workplace at a Glance

    The level of different environmental factors you would experience on the job.

    Responsibility: High
    Exposure to Job Hazards: Low
    Physical Activity: Medium
    Decision Making: Medium
    Repetitiveness: High
    Level of Competition: High
    Time Pressure: Medium