Careers · Explore one path
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.
Other titles employers use
Optometrist · Optometry Doctor (OD) · Therapeutic Optometrist · Doctor of Optometry
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
- Remove foreign bodies from the eye.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, helping and practical work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
Subjects to know
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Biology
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Mathematics
Useful strengths
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.6 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 2.5 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 5.0 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 4.3 | Handling tools, instruments or materials |
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Internet browser software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Accounting software
- Spreadsheet software
- Word processing software
- Medical software
- Calendar and scheduling software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 7,600
- Job openings each year
- 340
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 20.6%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 7,600 | 340 | 20.6% |
| Texas | 3,430 | 150 | 17.9% |
| New York | 3,370 | 50 | 19.1% |
| Florida | 2,620 | 120 | 20.7% |
| Ohio | 2,160 | 70 | 4.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,880 | 70 | 8.0% |
| Washington | 1,800 | 140 | 34.3% |
| Virginia | 1,500 | 60 | 15.4% |
| Illinois | 1,450 | 50 | 7.4% |
| Michigan | 1,390 | 50 | 6.1% |
| Arizona | 1,350 | 70 | 28.6% |
| North Carolina | 1,270 | 50 | 16.5% |
| Georgia | 1,150 | 40 | 10.6% |
| Wisconsin | 1,080 | 40 | 9.1% |
| Indiana | 1,040 | 40 | 8.3% |
| New Jersey | 1,010 | 40 | 12.2% |
| Minnesota | 900 | 30 | 9.8% |
| Maryland | 890 | 30 | 9.9% |
| Missouri | 870 | 30 | 7.4% |
| Colorado | 860 | 40 | 16.2% |
| Tennessee | 810 | 30 | 17.4% |
| Connecticut | 750 | 30 | 11.9% |
| Oregon | 680 | 30 | 19.3% |
| Iowa | 630 | 30 | 18.9% |
| South Carolina | 620 | 30 | 24.0% |
| Alabama | 610 | 20 | 8.9% |
| Oklahoma | 580 | 20 | 7.4% |
| Utah | 540 | 30 | 50.0% |
| Kentucky | 510 | 20 | 8.5% |
| Nevada | 460 | 20 | 12.2% |
| Kansas | 430 | 20 | 10.3% |
| Massachusetts | 380 | 10 | 8.6% |
| Arkansas | 360 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Nebraska | 360 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Idaho | 340 | 20 | 25.9% |
| Mississippi | 310 | 10 | 6.9% |
| Louisiana | 260 | 10 | 8.3% |
| Montana | 220 | 10 | 22.2% |
| North Dakota | 220 | 10 | 10.0% |
| New Hampshire | 200 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Maine | 180 | 0 | −5.3% |
| West Virginia | 180 | 10 | — |
| New Mexico | 170 | 10 | 30.8% |
| Puerto Rico | 170 | 10 | 13.3% |
| South Dakota | 170 | 10 | 13.3% |
| Delaware | 110 | 0 | 10.0% |
| Alaska | 100 | 0 | 11.1% |
| Vermont | 100 | 0 | — |
| District of Columbia | 80 | 0 | 14.3% |
| Wyoming | 80 | 0 | 14.3% |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.