It is difficult to determine how the "average" optometrist spends the day. Of all the eye care careers, optometry may have the widest range of business structures and the most fluid practice boundaries. Twenty years ago, most optometrists were easily characterized. They prescribed and fit conventional lenses from small shops that they owned and operated. Their patients came from the surrounding community, and the practice was based on caring and good quality service and grew from word-of-mouth referrals.
The options of an optometrist range from working part-time to owning chain of franchised superstores. An optometrist's customers are very sophisticated shoppers who are looking for one-stop, quick-turnaround convenience and respond to the flashy advertising that prompts them to shop for fashion rather than quality. Although an optometrist may be committed to personalized, quality care, he or she also must make a living in a very competitive marketplace.
A few things about the optometry workplace are still standard. Most optometrists still do work about a forty-hour week. Those who own their own shops work more hours. Working hours normally begin between 8:00 and 10:00 armband end between 4:00 and 9:00 p.m. Some evening and weekend hours are necessary to accommodate patients.
The work is not physically strenuous but does require manualdexterity, making it an ideal career for someone who intends to be active into what might be considered traditional retirement years. Successful optometrists tend to be analytical thinkers who understand the importance of integrating knowledge of new scientific and technological developments with established diagnostic and treatment methods.
In recent years, optometrists have become more holistic in their approach to eye care. A more in-depth look at the patient’s medical condition and history gives the optometrist more insight into the cause of vision problems. Optometrists are taking a broader approach to treatment as well. In addition to prescribing corrective lenses, an optometrist might suggest nutrition therapy or a consultation with a geriatrician about vision-related, medication side effects in the elderly.
Jobs are available in most areas of the country, although nearly half of all optometrists work in California, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
Education and Training
Graduation from high school or completion of an equivalency program is a prerequisite for all optometric training. Most preoptometry students then complete a bachelor'sdegree program that should include the courses required forestry to most optometry graduate schools:
English, General, College-mathematics, Geometry and calculus, Physics, Organic chemistry, Biology or zoology, Physiology, Statistics, Psychology, Social sciences, Literature, Philosophy, Foreign language
Competition for admission to optometry school is keen, and applicants are evaluated at a personal interview, on their college grade point average, and on their score on the Opt-metric Admissions Test (OAT).
Optometry school is a four-year postgraduate program leading to a doctorate degree. The first-year curriculum includes courses in:
Human anatomy and physiology Geometric and physical optics Mechanicaloptics Morphology of vision The second-year courses include: Optometricsciences Ocularphysiology Psychology of vision Instruments of clinical practice Ocularpathology Ocularpharmacology Anomalies of vision Third-year students study: Advanced physiological optics in vision and perception Advanced studies in ocular diseases Introduction to contact lens fitting General clinical practice Fourth year includes: Diagnosis and treatment of conditions and problems of the visual system Prescribing and fitting contact lenses Pathologydetection Practicemanagement Pediatricoptometry Geriatric optometry.
Curricula vary among the various schools. Some of the courses that are occasionally required or often offered as electives include:
Epidemiology, Community and public health Environmental vision, Microbiology, Vegetative physiology of the eye Health care law, policy, and ethics, Optometric economics, Biostatistics.
Most schools offer preceptor ships or internships in which experienced "teaching optometrists" supervise fourth-year students doing hands-on care in various practice settings. Most optometry colleges provide a vital community service by operating clinics where their students are exposed to the unique problems of nursing home patients, inner-city neighborhood health-clinic patients, inmates at correctional facilities, institutionalized or underserved blind and visually impaired patients.
Optometry school is rigorous training, and it culminates in the student's receiving the Doctor of Optometry degree. However, having the O.D. is not enough to begin practice. Almost all states require that optometrists pass a written examination before becoming licensed to practice. This test is sometimes given during the final years of optometry school to test the student's comprehension of preparatory courses and his or her readiness to practice. Optometrists who are relocating their offices from one state to another can, generally, transfer their license without taking the examination.
Following graduation and licensing, most optometrists go into a community practice. Those who are academically inclined continue their education by completing a master’s or doctorate degree in a related discipline such as visual science, physiological optics, neurophysiology, public health, health administration, health education, or a number of other specialties. Many of those who seek advanced degrees go on to teach or perform research.
For those O.D.'s who would like to limit their practices toe particular specialty within optometry, there are one-year residencies in family practice, pediatric, geriatric, low-vision rehabilitation, vision training, hospital based, and primary care optometry.
Salary and Employment Outlook
The demand for optometrists is expected to increase at the same rate as all occupations into the next century. There are currently about 37,000 practicing optometrists. A major factor that will influence the increasing need for optometrists is the aging of the American public. Almost all elderly people need some sort of vision correction, and because they are at risk, elderly patients must be examined frequently for many common eye diseases.
The demand for optometrists would be greater if it were not for increases in productivity that have occurred as optometrists who employ office assistants and staff can see more patients. Also, because optometrists generally stay in their jobs until retirement, the need for replacements is lower than in other professions.
Among middle-aged working people, vision plans are unattractive employment benefit. Most employers understand that periodic vision screening and cost-effective corrections a good investment in keeping their workforce productive. Some use optometric consultants to design lighting for a more productive workplace and prevention of occupational eye injuries. A current concern among workers, including the self-employed, is the effect of computer monitor screen son vision. Many new monitors have a variety of screen colors, filters, swivel bases, and other devices to minimize glare and prevent eyestrain in computer operators.
Perhaps one of the most interesting factors in the demand for optometrists is the astronomical growth of the superstore chains. Although the phenomenon of a few companies dominating the marketplace is not unusual in retail sales, it is still a somewhat new concept in health care. Evidence of the “corporatization" of optometry can be seen in the slick advertising that pervades almost every form of media. Although the person on the street probably still cannot distinguish between ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians, he or she is aware of the importance of optometric services and can probably point you in the direction of the local 'Vision center" at the mall. Although the purpose of the advertising is to convince the public that designer frames and tinted contacts are a fashion statement and not just medical appliances, the end result is that more people than ever before are being examined because eye care is more accessible. The rise in per capita and expendable income in conjunction with improvements in Medicare reimbursement makes routine visits and owning multiple pairs of eyewear not only desirable but feasible.
As owners and operators of superstore franchises, optometrists have shared in the industry's growth. While recent salary surveys indicate that experienced optometrists can expect to make $80,000 a year, it is safe to assume that chain store owners make considerably more. Entry-level optometrists, especially those who are employees of the superstores, can expect to start at $55,000.
