Optometrist Monthly Salary Information & Job Description

Optometrists are known as doctors of optometry and they provide primary vision care. They examine people’s eyes to diagnose eye diseases such as such as glaucoma, cataracts, conditions that impair vision such as nearsightedness, farsightedness etc. and provide treatment necessary according to the test results. Here we will get Optometrist salary information and job description. It also tests patients’ visual acuity, depth, and color perception and their ability to focus and coordinate the eyes.

Optometrists provide vision therapy and low-vision rehabilitation and also prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses.They also prescribe medicines for some of the eye diseases administer drugs to patients. Preoperative and postoperative care to cataract patients, patients who have gone through laser vision correction or other eye surgery is also provided by optometrists. They even refer patients to other health practitioners as needed.

They can work at many workplaces such as can opt for private practice, government facilities, hospitals etc. Optometrist monthly salary is very attractive.

Pros and Cons of a Career as an Optometrist

In the United States, optometrists are the main providers of the primary vision care. The demand for the optometrist is growing rapidly. It is a good career choice if you decide to be an optometrist. You must be aware of the pros and cons of a career in optometrist before you decide a career in it.

The jobs are available for optometrists at many locations and so you can settle at the locations of your preference. You make good earning as an optometrist as the salary earned by optometrists is above average. You can be comfortable as you have to work for regular 40-hours a week.

You have to be qualified to practice as an optometrist and it requires at least four years of graduate training. There are only a few schools to study optometry and you have to face tough competition to seek an admission. You also need to pass an exam to get a license. You also require you to continue education as you need to renew your license every few years.

Sometimes you might have to work on weekends. Emergency calls can also be there and you might have to work at an odd hour.

Requirements & Job Description

Educational Requirements

To be an optometrist, it requires you to complete four years at an accredited optometry school preceded by at least three years of pre-optometry study at an accredited college or university. You must have taken courses physics, chemistry, and biology. Some of the schools also require courses in psychology, history, sociology or speech. Many of the optometrist students hold a bachelor’s degree. You have to take an Optometry Admissions Test which tests your scientific comprehension and academic ability. You can start taking the test earlier so that you can get a chance to improve your score if needed.

In optometry school, they learn how to treat eye conditions and diseases through classroom lessons as well as the clinical study of health and visual sciences. They have to study subjects that include optics, anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, epidemiology, vision science etc.

Licensing

To practice as an optometrist, you must have to get a license. In order to get the license, you must hold a Doctor of Optometry degree and pass a National Board examination as well as national, regional, or State clinical board examination. You also have to get it renewed every 1 to 3 years as required by the states.

Optometrist salary information and career prospects

Demand for the optometrists is projected to grow by 33% by 2020 due to growing population of aging people and more health awareness as well as increased incidence of various eye problems. The median salary of an optometrist is $95,000 which considered good salary. The top 10% professional getting up to $140,000.

Standing Out

To stand out in the field of optometry, you can get opt for specialization. You can take a 1-year postgraduate residency program for specializing in optometry that can be one of the areas such as vision therapy, primary care, pediatric, family practice etc. You can also combine clinical optometry with research if you are interested in research work. You can also earn a Master of Science (M.S.) in Vision Science through one of the dual O.D. /M.S. degree programs.

Apart from the Part I, Part II and Part III exams required for licensure in every state, you can also consider passing two specialty examinations, one in treatment and management of ocular disease (TMOD) and the other in medical optometry offered by the National Board of Examiners. It broadens your scope of the job position.

If you are interested in the career in health care, a career of an optometrist can be rewarding as well as challenge one. You will also earn well and have a good and comfortable lifestyle.

More Related Queries:

Salary of Optometrist/ Job Description

(Visited 48 times, 1 visits today)