• Optometrists, also known as doctors of optometry, or ODs, are the main providers of vision care.
• They examine people's eyes to diagnose vision problems, such as nearsightedness and farsightedness, and they test patients' depth and color perception and ability to focus and coordinate the eyes.
• Optometrists may prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses, or they may provide other treatments, such as vision therapy or low-vision rehabilitation.
• Optometrists also test for glaucoma and other eye diseases and diagnose conditions caused by systemic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, referring patients to other health practitioners as needed.
• They prescribe medication to treat vision problems or eye diseases, and some provide preoperative and postoperative care to cataract patients, as well as to patients who have had corrective laser surgery.
• Like other physicians, optometrists encourage preventative measures by promoting nutrition and hygiene education to their patients to minimize the risk of eye disease.
• Although most work in a general practice as a primary care optometrist, some optometrists prefer to specialize in a particular field, such as contact lenses, geriatrics, pediatrics, or vision therapy.
• As a result, an increasing number of optometrists are forming group practices in which each group member specializes in a specific area while still remaining a full scope practitioner.
• For example, an expert in low-vision rehabilitation may help legally blind patients by custom fitting them with a magnifying device that will enable them to read.
• Some may specialize in occupational vision, developing ways to protect workers' eyes from on-the-job strain or injury.
• Others may focus on sports vision, head trauma, or ocular disease and special testing. A few optometrists teach optometry, perform research, or consult.
• Most optometrists are private practitioners who also handle the business aspects of running an office, such as developing a patient base, hiring employees, keeping paper and electronic records, and ordering equipment and supplies.
• Optometrists who operate franchise optical stores also may have some of these duties.
• Optometrists should not be confused with ophthalmologists or dispensing opticians.
• Ophthalmologists are physicians who perform eye surgery, as well as diagnose and treat eye diseases and injuries.
• Like optometrists, they also examine eyes and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses.
• Dispensing opticians fit and adjust eyeglasses and may fit contact lenses according to prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists.

• A growing population that recognizes the importance of good eye care will increase demand for optometrists.
• Also, an increasing number of health insurance plans that include vision care should generate more job growth.
• As the population ages, there will likely be more visits to optometrists and ophthalmologists because of the onset of vision problems that occur at older ages, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. In addition, increased incidences of diabetes and hypertension in the general population as well as in the elderly will generate greater demand for optometric services as these diseases often affect eyesight.
• Employment of optometrists would grow more rapidly if not for productivity gains expected to allow each optometrist to see more patients.
• These expected gains stem from greater use of optometric assistants and other support personnel, who can reduce the amount of time optometrists need with each patient.
• The increasing popularity of laser surgery to correct some vision problems was previously thought to have an adverse effect on the demand for optometrists as patients often do not require eyeglasses afterward.
• However, optometrists will still be needed to provide preoperative and postoperative care for laser surgery patients, therefore laser eye surgery will likely have little to no impact on the employment of optometrists.
• Admission to optometry school is competitive.

Other workers who apply scientific knowledge to prevent, diagnose, and treat disorders and injuries include Chiropractors; Dentists; Physicians and surgeons; Podiatrists; Psychologists; Veterinarians;

• Doctor of Optometry degree