What You'll Do

  • 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.
  • Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.
  • Prescribe, supply, fit and adjust eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids.
  • Prescribe medications to treat eye diseases if state laws permit.
  • Educate and counsel patients on contact lens care, visual hygiene, lighting arrangements, and safety factors.
  • Consult with and refer patients to ophthalmologist or other health care practitioner if additional medical treatment is determined necessary.
  • Remove foreign bodies from the eye.
  • 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.

Essential Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.12/5
Active Listening 4.12/5
Critical Thinking 4.12/5
Writing 4.0/5
Speaking 4.0/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.88/5
Science 3.75/5
Coordination 3.38/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.38/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.38/5
Monitoring 3.25/5
Persuasion 3.25/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.
  • Helper: Supporting people and making a difference matters to you.
  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Concern for Others, Dependability, Integrity, Analytical Thinking

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Oral Expression 4.12/5
Problem Sensitivity 4.12/5
Oral Comprehension 4.0/5
Written Comprehension 4.0/5
Deductive Reasoning 4.0/5
Inductive Reasoning 4.0/5
Near Vision 4.0/5
Written Expression 3.88/5

Technologies & Tools

Accra Med Software Filopto AltaPoint Data Systems AltaPoint Vision Babcock Winx Pro Compulink Business Systems Eyecare Advantage Digital Healthcare OptoMize First Insight E-Z Frame First Insight MaximEyes HealthLine Systems Eyecom Insight Software My Vision Express Intuit QuickBooks MAX Systems Max-Gold7 MediNotes Charting Plus Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft SQL Server Microsoft Word OfficeMate Software Solutions ExamWRITER OfficeMate Software Solutions OfficeMate Operational Data Store ODS software Prima Systems OPTIX

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.95/5)
  • Concern for Others (High importance: 4.86/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.76/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.62/5)
  • Analytical Thinking (High importance: 4.52/5)

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How to Become One

This career requires extensive preparation, typically including a graduate degree (Master's or Doctoral) and several years of experience. Most professionals in this field have invested significant time in education and training.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Optometrist Optometry Doctor (OD) Therapeutic Optometrist