Thinking About Pursuing a Career in Optometry?
Depending on your aptitude for math and science, and how much you like working with the public and helping people, a career in optometry could be a good fit for you. Optometrists work in stable, pleasant environments, enjoy excellent job security and outlook, and earn good salaries.
Optometrists examine the eyes of patients, diagnosing and treating a variety of conditions that affect the human visual system, structures of the eye, and the eye itself.
Optometrists, or doctors of optometry (ODs), do much more than prescribe and fit contact lenses and glasses. More and more, they are seen as the primary point of care for all conditions affecting the eyes and eyesight. Read on for a quick, comprehensive guide to pursuing a career in optometry.
Career Outlook for ODs
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics keeps tabs on most professions, and reports that ODs can expect a very good job outlook over at least the next decade. Employment in this field is expected to grow at more than double the rate for all occupations, and higher even than the rate for all health practitioners.
This is most likely attributable to new insurance requirements for Americans, and the aging of the largest generation in the populace of the United States.
Optometrists are tasked with providing the overwhelming majority of vision care for patients in the U.S., and more than half the population of this country wears either contact lenses or glasses. Additionally, the rest of the population may seek the care of an OD to diagnose and treat various eye diseases that aren’t treatable with corrective lenses.
Also, the aging of the baby boomer generation has contributed to the positive outlook for ODs, as an entire generation of eye doctors is rapidly approaching retirement age.
Schooling and Licensing for Optometrists
In order to work as a doctor of optometry (OD), you must first complete a four-year program of graduate study with an accredited program. The coursework involved can vary a bit from program to program, but generally includes classes on vision science, optics, anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and pathology. The course of study to become an OD culminates in clinical simulation with other students, prior to clinical training with real patients.
Licensing requirements for ODs vary a bit from state to state. Optometrists need to be licensed by the individual state board of optometry in each of the states they intend to practice in. The National Board of Examiners in Optometry also administers a series of certifying exams.
All states require ODs to pass the first and second parts of the National Board examination. Part one is focused on the application of basic science to the diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the eye. The second part is focused on patient assessment and management. Individual states may have additional licensing requirements.
Whether you intend to set yourself up in an individual private practice, join an established group practice, work in a public health capacity, or choose from any one of the many other practice options available to ODs, you are sure to find yourself in a great career. With a median six-figure salary and healthy job outlook, optometry is an excellent prospective career choice.
[Photo Via: BPOInfoline]