Considering the FutureOptometry

By: Lacey Van Stappen Health Careers 7th hour

Job Description/Duties Examine eyes Diagnose injuries and disorders of the visual system Treat/manage injuries and disorders of the visual system Identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye Prescribe medications Perform certain surgical procedures Provide vision therapy Provide low vision rehabilitation Assist patients with spectacle and contact lenses Counsel patients regarding surgical and non-surgical options to

meet visual needs Provide pre- and post-operative consultation and care Diagnose systemic conditions that have eye-related symptoms Refer patients to other health practitioners

Work Setting Work in clean, well-lighted, and comfortable settings Possible work places:

Personal office Doctor office Retail store Outpatient clinic Hospital

40 hours per week for full time May include weekends and evenings to suit the needs of

the patients Take emergency calls

Personal Characteristics Responsible: need to do their duty and own up to positive or negative

accomplishments Communicable: need to be able to communicate well with the patients, so they do not

get the wrong message Intelligent: need to know the information required to do the job well. Healthy: need to set an example for the patient Compassionate: need to be sympathetic and concerned for the patients well being Caring: need to show kindness to the patient Empathetic: need to be able to understand how the patient feels so they can respond

appropriately Interpersonal Skills: need to be able to feel comfortable talking with other people Dedicated: need to be devoted to the job and not blow it off for other trivial matters Patient: need to be patient and not become irritable with the patient

Important personal values: Security and benefits Not boring, but keeps routine Challenging/requires dedication Help people

Education High School Classes:

Biology Zoology (if available) Chemistry Psychology

4 year undergrad 3 or 4 years at school of optometry Colleges:

Illinois College of Optometry Indiana University Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University The Ohio State University

**No School of Optometry in Wisconsin**

Wages and Benefits Starting Salary: $78,000 5 year experience salary: $93,000 Full time: get benefits (sick leave, paid vacation, health

insurance) May also provide retirement plan

Self-employed: provide own insurance and retirement plan Median Salary: Wisconsin vs. Madison

Wisconsin: $103,318 Madison: $98,188

Employment Outlook 33% increase (11,300 jobs) from 2010-2020

Personal Assessment

I think that being an optometrist would be great for me because I really like helping people but I also do not want the pressure of life and death situations. I have also just recently realized that ophthalmology is something I find very interesting, and I am very curious to know more. I believe it is a job I could stay interested in for years. From what I have learned, optometry also provides job security and benefits, which is an important thing I would like in my future. Also, I would not have to attend medical school, though a downside is I would have to leave my home state and family to attend college. Even though that is something I would prefer to avoid, the positives are very enticing.

Works Cited "ExploreHealthCareers.org." Optometrist. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2012.http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/career/11/optometrist#Tab=Requirements. "Summary." U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, n.d.

Web. 21 Dec. 2012. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/optometrists.htm. Moore, Shelley. "Starting Salary for Optometrists." EHow. Demand Media, 14 July

2009. Web. 21 Dec. 2012. http://www.ehow.com/facts_5181245_starting-salary-optometrists.html. "Member Schools & Colleges - Association of Schools and Colleges of

Optometry." Member Schools & Colleges - Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Dec. 2012.

http://www.opted.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3336. "Wisconsin Optometrist Salaries - Salary.com." Wisconsin Optometrist Salaries -

Salary.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Dec. 2012. http://www1.salary.com/Wisconsin/optometrist-salary.html. "Explore Careers | ISEEK." Explore Careers | ISEEK. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Dec. 2012. http://www.iseek.org/careers/careerDetail?id=8&oc=100144.