Pathway: Diagnostic & Therapeutic Services
Job: Optometrist

Job Description

Optometrists examine people’s eyes, diagnosis vision problems and eye diseases,
and prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses and/or drugs. They do not perform eye surgery.

Necessary Education

Doctor of Optometry (minimum of 7 years beyond high school)

Helpful High School Courses

English, Chemistry, Advanced Mathematics, Biology, Physics

Working Conditions

• Works in clean, well-lit and comfortable offices
• May need to work on Saturdays and weekends
• Usually a 40-hour week, sometimes more

Salary Range

• 2003, Delaware average annual salary, $90,770
• 2003, Delaware average hourly wage, $43.64

Career Ladder Information

• Some people may begin as an optometrist assistant or as an optician, then move to optometrist
• Optometrists may begin working in another practice clinic or vision center instead of opening a private practice

Personal Qualities and Interests

      You:

• Are able to get along well with others
• Have good manual dexterity
• Are detail-oriented
• Enjoy sciences
• Have business sense and self-discipline

Did you know?

• Over half of the American population wears glasses or contact lenses.

Additional Information

• Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://www.bls.gov/oco
• American Optometric Association: http://www.aoanet.org