Introduction to the Inspiring Life of Author Mildred D. Taylor
Introduction You’ve probably read a few books in your lifetime. But have you ever read a book that changed your life? That’s what Mildred D.
When most people think of doctors, the first thing that comes to mind is usually a physician. However, there are many other types of doctors out there who work hard to assist people with their sicknesses and problems.
Similarly, becoming an optometrist is a great way to help people see better. It is also a very interesting and rewarding career. But what is it like? In this post, we will explore what it takes to become an optometrist, what the job is like, and what kind of salary you can expect.
So if you are thinking about becoming an optometrist, keep reading!
An optometrist is a healthcare professional who specializes in eye care and vision correction. They are responsible for diagnosing and treating vision problems, prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses, and prescribing medications for eye diseases.
Optometrists also perform routine eye exams and often work in collaboration with other health professionals, such as ophthalmologists and opticians.
Overall their job role includes:
Collaborating with other health professionals
There is some overlap between the job duties of optometrists, ophthalmologists, and opticians. Let’s see.
An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and problems. Ophthalmologists are also responsible for performing eye surgery.
Overall they are different from optometrists in the following ways:
Opticians are trained technicians who specialize in designing, fitting, and dispensing eyeglasses and contact lenses. They often work in collaboration with optometrists and ophthalmologists by following their prescriptions to make the required eyewear.
Now that you understand the differences let’s see how you can become an optometrist.
Becoming an optometrist is not an easy process, but it is definitely worth it.
The first step is to get a bachelor’s degree in optometry. Most optometrists have a degree in biology or a related field. However, if you are interested in becoming an optometrist, you should contact the schools of optometry in your area to find out what their specific requirements are.
After completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to attend a Doctor of Optometry (OD) program at an accredited Optometry School. These programs usually last four years and will teach you everything you need to know about diagnosing and treating vision problems.
After graduating from an OD program, you will need to complete a residency. This is a supervised clinical training program that will give you experience in treating a wide variety of eye conditions.
Although an optometrist can become a primary eye healthcare provider without an optometry residency, many colleges offer students primary-care residencies to help new optometrists improve their skills and field competency.
After completing your doctorate, you will need to become licensed in order to practice optometry. This usually requires passing an exam administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry.
However, depending on which state you live in, you might have to take additional exams to get your license. Plus, some states would require you to get this license renewed after a certain term.
Moreover, some states also require optometrists to be certified. Certification is usually granted by the American Board of Optometry and requires passing an exam. This step is mandatory only in some states and optional in others.
However, having a certificate to show your credibility definitely helps you in the long run.
Apart from basic optometry studies, some people choose to further study a special area of interest. If you are one of those, you can complete optional residencies in your specialty area for additional clinical training.
Some of the most common optometry specialty areas include:
Like most qualified and certified health professionals in the United States, optometrists make decent money. In fact, after certain years of experience, one can easily say that they make a fortune.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, optometrists earn a median annual salary of $114,950. The top 10% earn more than $160,000, and the bottom 10% earn around $70,640.
Below is a list of the top-10 highest-paying states for optometrists.
| Rank | State | Average Optometrist Salary |
| 1 | North Dakota | $175,090 |
| 2 | Vermont | $170,550 |
| 3 | Alaska | $165,640 |
| 4 | South Carolina | $142,290 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $141,890 |
| 6 | Connecticut | $138,140 |
| 7 | Maine | $136,510 |
| 8 | North Carolina | $136,260 |
| 9 | Wyoming | $135,220 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $134,270 |
The job outlook for optometrists is very good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of jobs in this field will grow by 9% from 2020 to 2030. This is much faster than the average for all occupations.
This suggests that there will be around 1700 job openings for optometrists per year.
The reason behind this growth is the aging population of the country. The older the population gets, the more will be the increase in demand for optometrists’ services.
So, if you are interested in becoming an optometrist, now is a good time to pursue this career.
Though becoming an optometrist is a challenging and expensive process, it is definitely worth pursuing. There is a lot of information to take in when it comes to becoming an optometrist – you have to study and practice for years!
But if you are dedicated and motivated, you can definitely achieve this goal. It is a very fulfilling and rewarding career. Besides making good money, you will have the opportunity to help people see better every day.
Optometry Resources:
Introduction You’ve probably read a few books in your lifetime. But have you ever read a book that changed your life? That’s what Mildred D.
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