How to Become an Optometrist

Optometrists' main mission in their professional lives is to help people maintain good eyesight. They must have a strong science background and employ intense attention to detail. This page will show you how to prepare to become an optometrist.
Tips on Becoming an Optometrist
1. Admission to optometry school is competitive
2. GPA of admitted students in 2008 ranged from 3.05 to 3.7
3. Emphasize science courses in college
4. Consider job shadowing to learn about the field
5. Apply to an accredited program

Optometrists' main mission in their professional lives is to help people maintain good eyesight. They must have a strong science background and employ intense attention to detail. This page will show you how to prepare to become an optometrist.
Tips on Becoming an Optometrist
1. Admission to optometry school is competitive
2. GPA of admitted students in 2008 ranged from 3.05 to 3.7
3. Emphasize science courses in college
4. Consider job shadowing to learn about the field
5. Apply to an accredited program
Introduction

An optometrist examines people's eyes, diagnoses vision problems and prescribes corrective lenses and other vision treatments. Although optometrists examine the eyes for glaucoma and other signs of disease, they are not medical doctors, and must refer patients to an ophthalmologist for certain treatments.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Optometrists Optometrists also look for signs of diseases such as diabetes and hypertension while performing eye exams.Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry: Frequently Asked Questions They can prescribe some medications, and manage pre- and post-operative care for patients who require opthalmic surgery.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Optometrists
Step 1: Decide If It's Right for You
- If you're looking to run your own business, enjoy science, and like caring for people, optometry may be a good match for you. In addition to the traditional vision care practice, optometrists can also specialize in fields such as geriatrics, pediatrics, or sports vision.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Optometrists
1. The average optometrist works 49 hours a week, with 38 of those hours devoted to patient care.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Optometrists
2. Although most generally work weekends and evenings to accommodate patients' schedules, the hours are usually fixed; they receive few emergency calls.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Optometrists Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry: Frequently Asked Questions
3. Personal characteristics needed to succeed in optometry include business ability, self-discipline, attention to detail, manual dexterity, and good interpersonal skills.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Optometrists
4. The average income for optometrists was $175,329 in 2007.Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry: Frequently Asked Questions
Step 2: Obtain an Undergraduate Education
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- Some students are accepted to optometry school after completing only three years of college, applying some of their optometry courses to satisfy the requirements of a bachelor's degree. Most students, however, are required to complete an undergraduate degree before being accepted into an optometry program.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Optometrists
1. Each optometry school has its own admissions requirements, but most require that a student have successfully completed courses in English, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Optometrists
2. Consider majoring in biology or chemistry.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Optometrists
3. If you are not a science major, take as many laboratory-based science classes as you can fit into your schedule.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Optometrists
4. Plan to take the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) after your sophomore or junior year. This test is required for admission to optometry school, and many students take it more than once to improve their scores.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Optometrists
5. If available, participate in optometry volunteer or internship programs.UC San Diego: Student Health Service - Optometry Volunteers
Step 3: Complete Optometry School
- The Doctor of Optometry degree requires that a student successfully complete a four-year program at an accredited optometry school; in 2006, there were only 17 accredited programs in the United States and Puerto Rico. This means that spots in classes are limited, and that admission is therefore very competitive.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Optometrists
1. Optometry programs include classroom and laboratory study of health and visual sciences, including courses in pharmacology, vision science, biochemistry, and systemic diseases.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Optometrists American Optometric Association: Why Study Optometry?
2. The program also includes clinical training in the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Optometrists
3. Optometry students also receive training in optics (the science of light and vision) and lens design, construction, application and fitting.American Optometric Association: Why Study Optometry?
4. The professional organization of optometrists, the American Academy of Optometry, admits student members. If you enroll as a student, the application fee will be waived when you apply for full membership after graduation.American Academy of Optometry: Students
Step 4: Get Licensed
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- All states require optometrists to be licensed. In addition to successfully completing an accredited program and earning a Doctor of Optometry degree, a practitioner must also pass the appropriate exams administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry before being granted a license to practice.
1. The exams consist of both written tests and clinical evaluations.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Optometrists
2. Each state sets its own requirements for a passing score on the exams.National Board of Examiners in Optometry: State Board Requirements
3. Some states require additional exams covering state law or pharmacology.National Board of Examiners in Optometry: State Board Requirements
4. Licenses require renewal at an interval specified by the state licensing authority (usually every one to three years).Bureau of Labor Statistics: Optometrists
5. Continuing education is usually required to renew a license.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Optometrists
Conclusion

Licensed optometrists can open their own practice, or continue their education towards a master's or Ph.D. in specialties such as visual science, physiological optics, neurophysiology, public health, health administration, health information and communication, or health education. They can also pursue a clinical residency in fields such as family practice optometry, pediatric optometry, geriatric optometry, vision therapy and rehabilitation, low-vision rehabilitation, cornea and contact lenses, refractive and ocular surgery, primary eye care optometry, and ocular disease.Bureau of Labor Statistics: Optometrists Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry: Frequently Asked Questions
References for How to Become a Optometrist