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Optometrists
Optometrists 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.
Table of Contents
Job description
Optometrists 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.
- 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, supply, fit and adjust eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids.
- Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.
- Prescribe medications to treat eye diseases if state laws permit.
Salary
Optometrists with little to no experience tend to make between $57480 and $86260 while the more experienced ones can earn over $135660 per year.
| Top 5 paying states | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| ND | $84 | $175,090 |
| VT | $82 | $170,550 |
| AK | $80 | $165,640 |
| SC | $68 | $142,290 |
| MA | $68 | $141,890 |
One of the easiest ways to increase your salary as an Optometrist is to move to a higher paying state like ND. Right now, the highest paying states for Optometrists are ND, VT, AK, SC and MA.
However, a higher pay at ND doesn’t guarantee that you will make more because the living expenses at ND might be twice as high than where you are currently at now.
Three other factors that can increase your salary as an Optometrist is the degree you hold, the industry you work in, and lastly the company you work for.
Requirements
We asked other Optometrists what degree they had when they got the job and most of them said they had a PhD followed by a First Professional Degree.
Other than that, we also asked them what did they major in and here are the most popular majors that came up.
| Optometry |
Pros and Cons
Here are some of the pros and cons of being an Optometrist.
| PROS |
|---|
| Suitable for people who likes to solve problems mentally |
| Suitable for people who wants job security and a good working condition |
| This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors. |
| One of the fastest growing careers |
| CONS |
|---|
| Not suitable for people who likes to work with designs |
| It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience is required for this career. |
What is the job like
81% of Optometrists said they were satisfied with their job and 86% said they feel like their job is making other people’s lives better.
Is this right for me
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..
They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.
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Learn more about Optometrists
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Related career information
Optometrists job description, Optometrists salary, Optometrists information, what is the job of an Optometrist like, pros and cons about Optometrists, colleges and universities for Optometrists, is Optometrists the right career for me, careers in Healthcare and Medical
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