Optometry Jobs | Optometrist Jobs | Eye Doctors
Ophthalmologist Jobs - What is the Job of a Optometrist? What does a Pediatric Optometrist Do?
Optometrists, commonly known as eye doctors, provide vision care to people who suffer from myopia, commonly called nearsightedness, or farsightedness. Optometrists will also test for other eye diseases such as glaucoma, cataracts, and astigmatism.
Most eye doctors work in private practice, helping individuals get prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses. Since optometrists work in private practice, it is common for them to have to run an eye care business alone, sometimes with the help of one or two assistants. Eye doctors are also responsible for advertising for their business, and a number of them operate franchise stores in order to gain a name for themselves.
Ophthalmologists are different from optometrists, as optometrists diagnose an eye problem, while opthalmolagists are the ones who fix it. For example, an optometrist will diagnose glaucoma, but an optholmologists will be responsible for correcting the problem, usually through eye surgery.
Working Conditions for Optometrist Jobs - How is the Working Environment for Pediatric Optometry?
Eye doctors usually toil in excellent working conditions, having a 40 hour workweek in a very regular schedule. In 2004, the American Optometric Association reported that most optometrists worked slightly over 40 hours a week, at 49 hours.
Optometry Schools Education - How to Become a Optometrist - How to Receive Your Pediatric Optometrist Education
In order to obtain a doctor of optometry degree, an eye doctor must complete a bachelor’s degree program, and then complete a optometry program at an accredited College of Optometry in America, of which there are only 16 programs administered by the American Optometric Association.
Says there are so few positions and schools available for optometrist training, the entry standards are very competitive. In order to gain entry into optometry school, applicants must have impeccable test scores and do well on the optometry admissions test, which is usually a administered during the sophomore or junior year of an undergraduate optometry undergraduate program.
Undergraduate disciplines for optometrists include physics, biology, and chemistry, while classes in an optometric institute include pharmacology, optics, and the study of eye diseases. Residency for a period of one year is common for clinical optometrists, upon graduation from a qualified and accredited university program.
Optometrist Certification - How to Become Certified in Ophthalmologist Jobs
All 50 states in the union require the eye doctors be licensed, which includes obtaining a doctor of optometry degree, and passing a national optometry examination. Continuing optometric education is usually required in order to renew ones ophthalmology license every three years.
Outlook for Optometrist Employment - What is the Future of Optometrist Jobs?
Over the next decade, the field of optometry careers is estimated to grow by about 11%. Glaucoma and cataracts become more common as individuals age, and the graying population of America will have increased uses for professional eye doctor care, in order to maintain their vision.
Since the optometric schooling program is so rigorous for eye doctors, employment opportunities are terrific for those were able to complete their education.
Optometry Salary Pay Scale - How Much Do Eye Doctors Earn?
In 2006, the median earnings for optometrist jobs employed by institutions came to $91,040. Eye doctors salaries for those working in private practices earned higher salaries, but had more responsibilities.
In 2006, the American Optometric Association estimated that the median income for all optometry jobs came to $105,000. Optometrists usually receive excellent benefits which can include vacation, sick leave, and pensions.