Many people claim that eyes are the first physical attribute they notice upon meeting a person, but for optometrists, eye contact takes on an entirely different meaning. If an optometrist is gazing into your eyes, he or she is probably taking into account your acuity, depth and color perception, or any number of other factors that can suggest problems with your eye's ability to focus.
A Growing Field
According to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in optometry are “expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2014,” in response to the vision needs of America's aging population. That means that an even larger number of people will get to enjoy a rewarding career that involves such responsibilities as conducting eye exams, prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses, administering drugs to patients for the relief of vision problems, and conferring with other health practitioners about possible systemic diseases as they relate to a patient's vision.
Getting the Degree
Optometry, like many other courses of medical study, requires many years of training. Entrants into a four-year optometry school must first obtain at least three years' certification at an accredited college or university. There are 16 schools of optometry in the United States, two in Canada, and one in Puerto Rico; all are accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education and recognized by the Association of Schools and Colleges (ASCO).
Prospective optometry students should plan on applying at least one year in advance, as the process can be somewhat lengthy. It is also important to contact the admissions office of your choice school to determine their individual requirements.
Most optometry schools require the following:
- Letters of recommendation
- Interview
- Application form (plus fee)
- Official transcripts
- Optometry Admission Test (OAT) scores
- Proof of experience or exposure to the field of optometry
After optometry school, the next step is licensing, a process in which a student must pass both a written and a clinical examination administered by their state board. In many states, the examinations offered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry will suffice in lieu of state board tests. Optometry licenses are renewed every one to three years and, in every state, continuing education credits are required for renewal.
In recent years, optometrists have acquired the legal ability to prescribe medication, making once-uncommon emergency calls a more regular occurrence. Still, doctors of optometry enjoy a relatively quiet, clean, consistent working environment in comparison to other medical professionals.
by Hannah Roberts, staff writer
