Optometrist

Overview and Key Facts

What Do They Do?

An optometrist could...

Overview Listen to this section

Optometrists are the primary caretakers of our most important sense—vision. They diagnose and detect problems not only with vision, but with the health of the eye and the whole body. Based on their diagnoses, they prescribe glasses, contact lenses, and medications; refer patients to ophthalmologists for surgery; or develop treatment plans, like vision therapy, to help correct for deficits in depth perception. Their work helps people live better at every stage of life.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of an Optometrist?

1. Active Listening: ? Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
2. Critical Thinking: ? Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
3. Speaking: ? Talking to others to convey information effectively.
4. Science: ? Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
5. Writing: ? Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

6. Reading Comprehension: ? Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
7. Social Perceptiveness: ? Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
8. Service Orientation: ? Actively looking for ways to help people.
9. Judgment and Decision Making: ? Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
10. Complex Problem Solving: ? Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks an Optometrist might do:

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