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A Doctor of Optometry is an independent primary health care provider who examines, diagnoses, treats and manages diseases and disorders of the eye, the visual system and associated structures. Optometrists are the major providers of eye care in America and the only providers thoroughly trained in all aspects of vision science and optics.
What is required to become an optometrist? Most students enter optometry school after completing a bachelor’s degree. To practice in the United States, students must graduate from a four-year Doctor of Optometry (OD) program from a U.S. accredited optometry school. The optometry curriculum emphasizes the biological, medical, visual and optical sciences as well as the understanding of the health care delivery system. To receive an optometric license to practice in a given state, graduates must also pass national board examinations that are administered during the last two years of optometry school. Some states require an additional board examination for licensure. Once licensed, optometrists must complete continuing education hours to maintain their licensure throughout their years of practice.
What is the potential income? Optometrists practice in rural communities, suburban areas and large cities in a variety of settings. Within the private practice setting, optometrists may be practicing alone or in a group practice with other ODs and/or MDs. Where a practice is established and the mode of practice can both affect the potential income for optometry. Data from the American Optometric Association’s 2016 Survey of Optometric Practice shows the average net incomes ranging from $140,013 for the primary practice of optometry to $172,356 for optometrists who own all or a portion of their practice. The graphic below from Review of Optometry’s 2017 Salary Survey illustrates the average income of full-time optometrists in each region of the United States.
$160,650 $156,091 $168,768
$139,956
$180,476
What does an optometrist do? Optometrists provide eye and vision care by examining the internal and external structure of the eyes to assess function and health. Optometrists diagnose and/or treat vision conditions like near/farsightedness, astigmatism and presbyopia; and eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal disorders. Optometrists also evaluate the eyes for signs of systemic diseases like hypertension and diabetes that manifest in the eye. Optometrists can provide services which seek to enhance the quality of their patients’ lives in the home, workplace and leisure activities. These services include: • Specialty contact lenses • Geriatrics/low vision care • Vision therapy/rehabilitation
• Sports vision enhancement • Occupational vision assessments
In many cases, optometrists may also provide pre- and post-operative care to eye surgery patients.
How does SCO prepare students to practice full-scope optometry? Southern College of Optometry has a long tradition of developing outstanding clinical Doctors of Optometry. The college prepares its students through a talented, diverse and dedicated faculty, an integrated and challenging curriculum, and comprehensive clinical training. Students gain clinical experience by working with dedicated practitioners who provide services to a diverse patient population, addressing issues related to general health, eye health and visual function.
four to six practice opportunities as a result. Although the primary source of listings for practice opportunities is our alumni, other sources for listings are welcome. To further assist, the American Optometric Association maintains an additional practice opportunity network database that is available to all optometry graduates.
The three O’s — what are the differences?
The Eye Center, the largest state-of-the-art vision and eye care facility of its kind in the nation, was specifically designed to meet patient care and clinical education needs. Among other advanced features, The Eye Center boasts one of the most complete optometric technology centers in the nation. Faculty clinicians serve not only as teachers but as role models, demonstrating to students how to effectively relate to and manage patients and how to gain patient confidence and compliance with treatment plans. The SCO externship program (about eight months of the fourth year) gives students the opportunity to work directly with doctors in private practice and multidisciplinary settings where additional patient care experiences and more oneon-one instruction and “coaching” is possible. Southern College of Optometry is a great choice for any student whose desire is to become an excellent and successful Doctor of Optometry.
What are the prospects for finding a position following graduation? At SCO, we offer a comprehensive placement service to our graduates. Career counseling begins in the first year and continues throughout the four-year program. It is intended to prepare students for a career in optometry, while complementing their interests and long-term goals for practice. Students may utilize the online placement service listing, and those who do, typically receive
Optometry is not an outgrowth of the medical profession. It is an independent profession that has evolved over many years. The scientific roots of optometry come from the field of physics. Over time, the profession of optometry has integrated information from the physical, biological and behavioral sciences. Within this body of knowledge are the advanced study of optics, the science of light and vision, as well as the study of human anatomy, pharmacology, pathology, sensory and perceptual psychology, biochemistry, statistics and epidemiology. Optometry should not be confused with ophthalmology or opticianry. Although the three are related and work together closely, there are distinctions between the preparation for each as well as various roles each plays. To become an ophthalmologist, most students complete a bachelor’s degree before entering medical school. After four years of medical school, one or more years must be spent in general clinical training and three or more years in a hospital-based ophthalmology residency program. Additionally, students may spend another year in a specialty fellowship. Ophthalmologists specialize in the medical and surgical care of the eyes and visual system and in the treatment of eye disease and injury. Opticians are not required to complete any specific academic program in most states. An optician can receive on-the-job training and become a certified optician by passing an examination administered by the Optician’s Association of America. Opticians fill prescriptions for corrective eye wear, including glasses, contact lenses, low vision aids, and ocular prostheses. They grind lenses and fabricate eye wear as well as adjust, replace, and repair ophthalmic devices.
1245 Madison Avenue • Memphis, Tennessee 38104-2222 • 901-722-3224 • 800-238-0180 • sco.edu Information for this publication was gathered from the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, the American Optometric Association (AOA), the Journal of the AOA, the Academy of Ophthalmology and the Opticians Association of America.