Optometrist: The Vision of Eye HealthCare

By: Kirsten Rose

Job Description | Requirements | Highlights & Challenges |  15 February 2025

A Look Within 

I know optometrists work with vision, but what do they do? As an optometrist, you will complete tasks including both vision tests and complete eye exams. You will diagnose eye conditions and may prescribe contacts and glasses. In some states, you may prescribe your patients' medication and provide minor surgical procedures. A medical condition you would treat includes ocular issues and diseases such as glaucoma. This occupation is often confused with Ophthalmologists, who have the same abilities as optometrists with the addition of medical and surgical treatment, as optometrists are only allowed in some states. They also must have a medical degree (MD or DO), while optometrists are required to be a doctor of optometry. 

Requirements

At a glance, to become a doctor of optometry, you must first complete at least three years of undergraduate study at a certified college or university. That said, most optometry students hold a baccalaureate or higher degree. While studying you will be met with standardized tests such as the GRE, MCAT, DAT, PCAT, or even the OAT (Optometry Admission Test (OAT). Then you must apply to and be accepted at a certified optometry school. 

While schools vary they share the enlightening experiences of gaining clinical experience in a simulation lab and working with actual patients. Taking case histories, performing examinations, learning diagnostic techniques, and discussing treatment services, are all likely opportunities you may engage in within your first, second, and third years. Fourth-year students continue clinical training, which may include clinical externship rotations. The lengths of your external rotations may vary from eight to 16 weeks. 

Once you complete your training and graduate, you must pass the licensure exam, which includes both clinical and written portions. In most states, however, the written part has been substituted with the exams delivered during the student’s education by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO). 

Opportunities and Challenges 

What can you expect from the elusive occupation of an optometrist? According to those currently on their journey of eye medical care, the job creates an impressively low-stress environment, as the job is repetitive with few surprises in a stable workspace. The optometrist was #8 on a list of 15 occupations identified in a Yahoo Finance article as offering a flawless combination of high revenue and low strain. Additionally, you will have a manageable life-work balance as you will not have to do any night shifts or on calls. You will work regular hours and will rarely have to deal with emergencies. As an optometrist, you also can decide how much you abide by, and with whom. As pictured, a rising denomination is Military Optometrist, in which you'll treat diseases, injuries, and disorders of the eyes in Soldiers and their families. You will have the chance to help the less advantageous with their sight whether it is through the military, a provincial clinic, or a volunteering trip to a less privileged country. Unlike other medical occupations in which you do not see the by-products of your treatment, optometrists get to see the fulfilling reaction of their patients when their vision is improved. 

However, you must understand the depth of the occupation and the difficulties you may encounter during your career. As previously mentioned, the degrees and schooling needed for the job will cost you both time and money and may be hard to turn around if you decide the career is not for you. It is difficult to do anything else with an Optometrist degree being there's not much variety in the work. This should be a highly considered con as it is very hard to take yourself out of up to 200k in student debt, to chase a different career. Even after being decisive and confident with your schooling, another con is that the reputation is pretty low considering the amount of work gone into receiving your degree. 90% of Optometrists will work in a retail setting where they are expected to sell glasses or contact lenses.

Salary 

In an entire league of its own, there is the benefit of a generous salary received by optometrists. As an Optometrist, you can expect an impressive median income of $131,860 (as of 2023). The best 25% can even reach up to $162,000, and the lower 25% only dips to about $105,000. To count on making the 75th percentile, a proven association with states including Maryland, being #1 at $280,000, followed by New York, North Carolina, and Texas. Unfortunately, an unalterable factor is gender within optometry, as women only reach 65% of their male colleagues' salary. However, this is mainly due to fewer women having private practices (only 34.1% of female optometrists, compared to 48.2% of their male counterparts). On the bright side, the salary of optometrists is predicted to have a long-term incline.

Works Cited

“Becoming a Military Optometrist.” UAB School of Optometry, 2019, www.uab.edu/optometry/home/about/news/alumni/becoming-a-military-optometrist. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.

“How Much Can a Optometrist Expect to Get Paid?” Usnews.com, 2017, money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/optometrist/salary.

levo. “Differences between Optometrists and Ophthalmologists.” Cascade Eye & Skin Centers, 20 Oct. 2023, www.cascadeeyeskin.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-an-optometrist-and-an-ophthalmologist/.

“Optometrist.” ExploreHealthCareers.org, 2016, explorehealthcareers.org/career/optometry/optometrist/.

Stubenbordt, Paul. “What to Expect in Your First Optometry Visit | Newsom Eye.” Newsom Eye, 30 Sept. 2023, newsomeye.com/2023/09/30/what-expect-first-optometry-visit/. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.

“What Does an Optometrist Do? - Bright Eyes Optometry New Rochelle, NY.” Bright Eyes Optometry New Rochelle, NY, 14 Aug. 2020, brighteyesny.com/blog/what-does-an-optometrist-do/. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.

“What Is the Difference between an Optometrist and an Ophthalmologist?” Verywell Health, www.verywellhealth.com/optometrist-vs-ophthalmologist-5094869.