Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become an Optometrist Doctor of Optometry programs combine classroom learning and clinical experience. Optometrists typically need a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree. O.D. programs take 4 years to complete, and applicants typically have bachelor’s degree before entering a program. Every state requires optometrists to be licensed.
Education
Optometrists typically need a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree from an accredited program. Applicants to these graduate programs must have completed at least 3 years of undergraduate education. However, applicants to O.D. programs typically have a bachelor’s degree in a field such as biology or physical science. Programs that do not require a specific field of degree for admissions might require that applicants have completed courses in subjects such as chemistry, physics, and calculus. Applicants to O.D. programs also must take an entrance exam which covers four subject areas: natural sciences, reading comprehension, physics, and quantitative reasoning. O.D. programs take 4 years to complete. They include both academic coursework and supervised clinical experience. Coursework includes anatomy, visual science, and the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the visual system. During clinical
Training
, students gain experience treating patients in a variety of settings, such as hospitals and private practice. After finishing an O.D. degree, optometrists may choose to get 1 year of advanced clinical training in the area in which they wish to specialize. Areas of specialization include primary care, cornea and contact lenses, and ocular disease.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
All states require optometrists to be licensed. Prospective optometrist must have an O.D. degree from an accredited optometry school and must complete all sections of a qualifying exam. Some states require candidates to pass an additional exam, such as on clinical skills or on laws relating to optometry. Information on state licensing board requirements is available from CareerOneStop. All states require optometrists to take continuing education classes and to renew their license periodically. For more information, contact the licensing board for the state in which you plan to practice. Optometrists may obtain an optional credential to become board certified. This certification requires passing an examination. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop.
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Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of optometrists is projected to grow 10 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 2,000 openings for optometrists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Because vision problems tend to occur more frequently later in life, an aging population will lead to demand for optometrists. As people age, they become more susceptible to developing diseases that impair vision, such as cataracts and macular degeneration, and will therefore need vision care. The increasing prevalence of refractive errors, particularly myopia, among the general population is another key source of demand for optometrists as they will be needed to diagnose and treat these common eye problems. Moreover, the growing use of electronic devices has translated into an increasing number of individuals experiencing digital eye strain, which may lead to more demand for eye care services. Meanwhile, diabetes has been linked to increased rates of diabetic retinopathy, a condition that affects the blood vessels in the eye and may lead to loss of vision. With diabetes on the rise, optometrists will be needed to monitor, treat, and refer these patients. Optometrists Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Optometrists 10% Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners 9% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Optometrists Do
Optometrists diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system, including examining eyes and prescribing corrective lenses.
Duties
Optometrists typically do the following:
- Perform vision tests and analyze results
- Diagnose vision problems, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness, and eye diseases, such as glaucoma
- Prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other visual aids
- As permitted by state law, perform minor surgical procedures and prescribe medications to correct or treat visual or eye issues
- Provide treatments such as vision therapy or low-vision rehabilitation
- Provide pre- and postoperative care to patients undergoing eye surgery
- Evaluate patients for the presence of other diseases and conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, and refer patients to other healthcare providers as needed
- Promote eye and general health by counseling patients
Optometrists are doctors who focus on eyes and vision. Their tasks range from offering preventive care through routine checkups to providing referrals to other specialists for treatment of health conditions, such as autoimmune diseases, that may lead to serious eye problems.
Some optometrists provide specialized care in addition to general eye care. For example, some optometrists focus on treating patients who have partial sight, a condition known as low vision. Others may specialize in treating a certain population, such as infants and children.
Optometrists promote eye health by counseling patients on how general health can affect eyesight. For example, they may counsel patients on how quitting smoking lowers the risk of developing cataracts.
All states allow optometrists to prescribe medication, but states vary in the type of medication they allow optometrists to prescribe. States also vary in whether optometrists may perform surgery or other procedures, such as providing vaccinations.
Optometrists should not be confused with ophthalmologists or opticians. Ophthalmologists are physicians who, like optometrists, treat eye diseases, perform eye exams, and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses. However, ophthalmologists perform a wider range of surgeries than optometrists do. For more information about ophthalmologists, see the physicians and surgeons profile. Opticians fit and adjust eyeglasses and, in some states, fill contact lens prescriptions that an optometrist or ophthalmologist has written. For more information, see the opticians profile.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Optometrists held about 45,100 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of optometrists were as follows:
| Offices of optometrists | 61% |
| Offices of physicians | 14 |
| Retail trade | 13 |
| Self-employed workers | 5 |
| Outpatient care centers | 4 |
Optometrists typically work in office settings. This includes offices of optometry and offices of physicians. They also may work in retail settings, such as stores that sell eyeglasses.
Work Schedules
Most optometrists work full time, but part-time work is common. Schedules may vary to include evenings and weekends.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Decision-making skills. Optometrists must evaluate the results of diagnostic tests and decide on the best course of treatment for a patient. Communication skills. Optometrists must explain diagnosis, treatment, and eye care in a way that patients can understand. Compassion. Optometrists treat a variety of patients, including those who are frustrated by visual problems. They must be understanding of and sympathetic to their patients’ concerns. Detail oriented. Optometrists must take care to provide appropriate treatment, including accurate prescriptions. They also must monitor and record specific information related to patient care.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about optometrists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.