Optometrists :: Job Description

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Optometrists

Careers / Optometrists

Summary Description


	Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment. May prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat specific eye conditions.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Doctor

2.	Doctor of Optometry (OD)

3.	Optometrist

4.	Optometry Doctor (OD)

Job Tasks

	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.

	Prescribe medications to treat eye diseases if state laws permit.

	Prescribe, supply, fit and adjust eyeglasses, contact lenses and other vision aids.

	Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.

	Educate and counsel patients on contact lens care, visual hygiene, lighting arrangements and safety factors.

	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.

	Provide patients undergoing eye surgeries, such as cataract and laser vision correction, with pre- and post-operative care.

	Prescribe therapeutic procedures to correct or conserve vision.

	Provide vision therapy and low vision rehabilitation.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.


		make decisions

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.


		obtain information from clients, customers, or patients

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.


		administer medications or treatments

		diagnose or treat conditions of the eye

		conduct medical tests

		treat medical condition of patient

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.


		use clinical problem solving techniques

		use counseling techniques

		use emergency medical treatment procedures

		follow infectious materials procedures

		use interpersonal communication techniques

		use medical diagnostic techniques

		follow patient care procedures

		use research methodology procedures in health care

		use sanitation practices in health care settings

		use knowledge of medical terminology

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.


		analyze medical data

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.


		measure for eyeglasses

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.


		identify body response variations

		understand properties or composition of drugs

		recognize childhood diseases

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.


		interpret medical laboratory test results

		write technical health or medical documents

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.


		order medical laboratory tests

		prepare patient reports

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.


		conduct patient assessments

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.


		communicate technical information

		make presentations on health or medical issues

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.


		prescribe or recommend drugs, medical devices or other forms of treatment

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Optometrists
	Optometrists, also known as doctors of optometry, or ODs, are the main providers of vision care. They examine people's eyes to diagnose vision problems, such as nearsightedness and farsightedness, and they test patients' depth and color perception and ability to focus and coordinate the eyes. Optometrists may prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses, or they may provide other treatments, such as vision therapy or low-vision rehabilitation.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Optometrists
	Optometrists usually work in their own offices that are clean, well lighted, and comfortable. Although most full-time optometrists work standard business hours, some work weekends and evenings to suit the needs of patients. Emergency calls, once uncommon, have increased with the passage of therapeutic-drug laws expanding optometrists' ability to prescribe medications.

	Read More >>

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Interesting Fact

The word "salary" comes from salarium, or "salt money" and was used in ancient Rome to describe the wages paid to Roman legionnaires who were compensated in salt.

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