An optometrist job description explains an eye doctor. His job is to examine the patients’ eyes and test their sight. After the examination, his job is to give his patient advises on his visual problems and if needed, he can prescribe fit spectacles or contact lenses. All optometrists are trained to recognize eye diseases such as glaucoma and cataract or some general health conditions like the diabetes. In some cases they may share the care of patients with the other health workers if there are patients with chronic diseases. Sharing such cases may involve the use of specialist equipment.
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
According to the newest 2018 reports made from the HR department, the median salary for an optometrist in the United States is $111,790. Their hourly wage is around $53.75 per hour.
In conclusion, the highest pay for an optometric in the United States is $138,000, the lowest is nearly $95,000 per annum and those optometrists employed in a private practice may earn more than $175,000 per annum. It is a well-paid profession with many job opportunities.
