What does an Optometrist do?
Optometrists examine both the eye’s internal and external structures and diagnose eye disease, including glaucoma, retinal disorders, cataracts, systemic diseases including hypertension or diabetes, and vision conditions including astigmatism or nearsightedness. They conduct vision assessments and refraction, which determines the clarity or blur of a patient's eye. They deduce a patient's ability to focus and coordinate their eyes and their depth perception.
Optometrists prescribe corrective lenses including eyeglasses or contacts and recommend further services including low vision rehabilitation or vision therapy. If a patient requires an operation, optometrists provide preoperative and postoperative care. They take the patient’s detailed medical histories and document them, and evaluate eye-related symptoms including redness or inflammation. They advise patients about proper care and hygiene and identify health and safety factors that could impact vision, including working in front of a computer. Optometrists need a minimum state-issued license for optometry, an OD degree, and five years of experience working as an optometrist.
- Accurately perform, follow, and adhere to the scheduling guidelines and to the allotted time given to perform preliminary testing and electronic medical record entries for each scheduled appointment.
- Team build and weekly training meetings compliment our fun, fast paced learning environment.
- Interpret a doctor's prescription and suggest products and enhancements to address specific prescription requirements.
- Job responsibilities include answering phone, scheduling appointments, verify and billing vision insurance, working up patients and stocking trial contact lenses.
- Advanced instruments(imaging, threshold visual fields, specialty contact lenses, punctal plugs, etc) are available for use if desired in order to provide more complete patient care and to generate further income.
- Certification in optometry and relevant and equivalent experience.
- Experience with LCA, C, E-Mail, and MVC software, systems and processes.
- Is a professional at all times with problem solving skills and attention to details.
- Comfortable working with clients and colleagues using critical thinking and time management skills.
Optometrist Salaries
Average Base Pay
Optometrist Career Path
Learn how to become an Optometrist, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Average Years of Experience
Optometrist Insights
“Reasonable professional development opportunities depending on your store director some of them are really good some are awful”
Armitage Opticians“My work life balance is so much better and my day to day is so much happier.”
Optical Express“Great business to work for who have provided me with unlimited opportunities to progress my career and grow as an individual as well as professionally.”
Indian Health Service“Very racist: the person I replaced quit after being told “a jewish person can’t do this job” by the Clinic director.”
Keplr Vision“Good good good good good”
Vision Express“Good good good good good”
Donnelly Optique“Good good good good good”
Optical Prescription Spectacle Makers“asked for a pay rise cause I was getting much higher offers elsewhere but they didn't care”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of an Optometrist
- Optician
- Maintenance Technician
- Service Technician
- Technician