Optometrists

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Healthcare Practitioners
• O*NET-SOC code: 29-1041
• O*NET job zone: 5 — extensive preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 10
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Remove foreign bodies from the eye.
• Provide patients undergoing eye surgeries, such as cataract and laser vision correction, with pre- and post-operative care.
• Consult with and refer patients to ophthalmologist or other health care practitioner if additional medical treatment is determined necessary.
• Prescribe therapeutic procedures to correct or conserve vision.
• Provide vision therapy and low-vision rehabilitation.

Tools and technology

Apple Safari, Intuit QuickBooks, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Word, Mozilla Firefox, Web browser software, 4-well lens holders, 8-well lens flippers, Accra Med Software Filopto

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric
• Pediatric Surgeons
• General Internal Medicine Physicians
• Dermatologists
• Urologists
• Neurologists
• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
• Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 5 (extensive preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Optometrists — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.