Optometrists

Occupational Description

Optometrists are primarily concerned with examining eyes and performing other services to safeguard and improve vision. They prescribe what should be done to correct vision problems, which may include prescriptions for eyeglasses, contact lenses, vision therapy, or therapeutic drugs. By examining the eyes, optometrists may also identify signs of disease and conditions that affect the entire body. Optometrists refer these to other specialists.

Most optometrists are in general practice. Some specialize in work with the elderly, children, or partially sighted persons who need specialized visual devices. Others develop and implement ways to protect workers' eyes from on-the-job strain or injury. Some specialize in contact lenses, sports vision, or vision therapy. A few teach optometry, perform research, or consult.

Optometrists generally have excellent working conditions and usually work in their own offices. Most full-time optometrists work about 40 hours a week. Many work Saturdays and evenings to suit the schedules of patients. Although most optometrists still have solo practices, some have chosen to work in partnerships or teams to alleviate the rising cost of set-up, insurance, and repayment of school loans.

Personal Skills & Characteristics

Business ability, self-discipline, and the ability to deal tactfully with patients are important for success. The work of optometrists requires attention to detail and good manual dexterity. The optometrist must also have mechanical aptitude and good vision and coordination. These characteristics are essential to the training to become licensed.

Generally, colleges of optometry admit students who have demonstrated strong academic commitment and who exhibit the potential to excel in deductive reasoning, interpersonal communication, and empathy. Optometry schools are looking for well-rounded candidates who have achieved not only in the classroom but also in other areas. Leadership ability, a disposition to serve others, and a work ethic characterized by dedication and persistence are just a few of the qualities that impress most admission committees.

Employment

Optometrists held about 33,000 jobs in 2006. The number of jobs is greater than the number of practicing optometrists because some optometrists hold two or more jobs. For example, an optometrist may have a private practice, but also work in another practice, clinic, or vision care center. According to the American Optometric Association, about three-fourths of practicing optometrists are in private practice.

Although many optometrists practice alone, a growing number are in a partnership or group practice. Some optometrists work as salaried employees of other optometrists or of ophthalmologists, hospitals, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), or retail optical stores. A small number of optometrists are consultants for industrial safety programs, insurance companies, manufacturers of ophthalmic products, HMOs, and others.

Earnings

Job Outlook

In response to the vision care needs of a growing and aging population, the employment of optometrists is expected to grow 11 percent between 2006 and 2016, which is as fast as average for all occupations. As baby boomers age, they will be more likely to visit optometrists and ophthalmologists because of the onset of vision problems in middle age, including those resulting from the extensive use of computers. The demand for optometric services also will increase because of growth in the oldest age group, with their increased likelihood of cataracts, glaucoma, diabetes, and hypertension. Employment of optometrists also will grow due to greater recognition of the importance of vision care, rising personal incomes, and growth in employee vision care plans.

The number of new practicing optometrists is limited by the fact that there are presently only 18 schools and colleges of optometry in the United States and Puerto Rico (http://opted.i4a.com/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3351) with two additional schools in Canada. Class sizes are restricted and therefore the number of new graduates remains fairly constant.

Planning Ahead

Since most optometry programs have specific course requirements, it is important to plan ahead to make sure all the necessary prerequisites are completed. It is also important to start gaining some hands-on experiences shadowing or volunteering with an optometrist or working at an optometrist's office.

The Career Center has a team of pre-health counselors to help students with a preparation and application timeline that fits their circumstances. Appointments may be scheduled with a pre-health counselor by calling 734/764-7460 or stopping by the office at 3200 Student Activities Building.

Educational Requirements

Common prerequisite courses for most optometry schools include:

• General Biology with labs
• General Chemistry with labs
• Organic Chemistry/Biochemistry with labs
• General Physics with labs
• Microbiology with lab
• Calculus
• Psychology
• Statistics
• English
• Social Science
• Other Humanities

For general optometry requirement questions contact a pre-health academic advisor in LSA.

For school specific questions, consult the Schools and Colleges of Optometry’s Admission Requirements notebook published by ASCO and contact the schools directly.

There are 18 ASCO-certified colleges of Optometry, for a full listing of these schools visit http://opted.i4a.com/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3351.

Preparation Beyond The Classroom

Individuals interested in exploring a career in optometry may do so in several ways: visit an optometrist’s office and talk to an experienced optometrist; seek part-time or summer work in an optical store or in an optometrist’s practice; learn as much as possible about the eyes and how they work through books, CD-ROMs, and the Internet.

Connect with U of M alumni for informational interviewing, networking, or job shadowing. Visit Alumni Networks at: http://alumni.umich.edu/networking-tools

Application Process Overview

Students applying to optometry programs are strongly encouraged to initiate their application process at least one year prior to when they plan to begin their academic program.

Since each optometry school may have slightly different admissions criteria, applicants should contact each school to which they are interested in applying. Most optometry schools and colleges require applicants to complete an application; write a personal essay; submit transcripts from colleges attended by the applicant; take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) and submit scores; provide letters of reference; participate in a personal interview; and demonstrate experience or exposure to the field of optometry.

Note: Started in 2009, OptomCAS offers applicants a convenient centralized application service for schools and colleges of optometry. OptcomCAS will offer applicants a convenient, web-based application that will allow them to apply to more than one participating optometry school or college with one application

Standardized Tests

All applicants seeking admission to schools and colleges of optometry must take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). The testing program is designed to measure general academic ability and comprehension of scientific information achieved from college or university coursework. Examinations are administered twice a year, usually during February and October, at numerous U.S. and Canadian test centers. The most desirable schedule for applicants is to take the exam either in February of their junior year or in October of their senior year in college. For more information on the OAT visit: http://opted.i4a.com/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3444

Reference Letters

Many optometry programs require three letters of reference: Two letters from a science professor and one from a non-science professor. Some programs will also want one from a licensed optometrist. If possible, these letters should highlight your scholastic abilities and personal characteristics. Additional letters may be from supervisors from work or volunteer experiences.

The Career Center's Reference Letter Service (RLS) offers University of Michigan students and alumni/ae the opportunity to have letters of reference on file to use in support of their employment and continuing education efforts. Open a reference letter file with the RLS.

Personal Statement Information

Applicants are often asked to give a thoughtful, candid analysis of their professional objectives, both long term and short term, including why they want to study optometry, how they first became interested in the profession, and how they envision their future career in optometry.

If you need assistance getting started on your personal statement or would welcome feedback on your draft, please schedule an advising appointment at The Career Center by calling 734/764-7460.

Interviews

A personal interview will be an integral part of the admission process; however, being granted an interview is not a guarantee of admission. It should be clearly understood that not all applicants will be granted an interview. Gather interview tips through available literature and interview programs sponsored by The Career Center. Schedule a videotaped mock interview at The Career Center, 3200 SAB (734/764-7460) to gain practice and confidence.

Admissions Update

For the academic year 2008-2009, 2822 individuals applied for admission to the schools and colleges of optometry in the United States and Puerto Rico.  Females comprised 63.6% of the student body for 2008-2009 while 33.8% was male. The average total science Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) scores of incoming students ranged from 283 and 368 and the average academic OAT scores ranged from 282 to 357.

Resources To Learn More

Links to Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement. For information on optometry as a career contact:

American Optometric Association, Educational Services, 243 North Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141-7881.
http://www.aoa.org/

Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 510, Rockville, MD 20852, (301) 231-5944, (301) 770-1828 (fax).
http://www.opted.org/

American Optometric Student Association, 243 North Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141, (314) 991-4100
http://www.theaosa.org/