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Optometrists

THE JOB

An estimated sixty percent of the people in California wear glasses or
contact lenses.  OPTOMETRISTS (doctors of optometry) provide much of the
vision care these people need.  They examine people's eyes to detect vision
problems, diseases, and other abnormal conditions.  They may use drugs for
diagnostic purposes and to treat minor eye ailments.  They also test to insure
that the patient has proper depth and color perception and the ability to
focus and coordinate the eyes.  When necessary, they prescribe lenses and
treatment.  Where evidence of disease is present, the Optometrist refers the
patient to the appropriate health care practitioner.  Many Optometrists
supply the prescribed eyeglasses and fit and adjust contact lenses.
Optometrists also prescribe vision therapy or other treatment which does not
require medication or surgery.

Although most Optometrists are in general practice, some specialize in work
with the elderly or with children.  Others work with partially sighted
persons, who use microscopic or telescopic lenses.  Still others
concentrate on contact lenses or vision therapy. Optometrists teach, conduct
Research, and serve on health advisory committees of various kinds.

Optometrists should not be confused with either ophthalmologists or
dispensing opticians.  Ophthalmologists are physicians who specialize in
medical eye care, eye diseases and injuries, perform eye surgery, and
prescribe drugs or other eye treatment, as well as lenses.  Dispensing
opticians fit and adjust eyeglasses and contact lenses according to
prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or Optometrists; they do not
examine eyes or prescribe treatment.


WORKING CONDITIONS

Optometrists work in offices that are clean, well-lighted, and comfortable.
Some also work in retail optical stores.  The work requires a lot of
attention to detail.  Optometrists who are self-employed have considerable
flexibility in setting their hours of work and may continue to practice
after the normal retirement age.


EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

The following information is from the California Projections of Employment
published by the Labor Market Information Division.

Estimated number of workers in 1993          2,260
Estimated number of workers in 2005          2,840
Projected Growth 1993-2005                    26 %
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005  640

(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.)

Employment of Optometrists is expected to grow about as fast as the average
for all occupations through 2005.  Demand for vision care services is
projected to increase because of rising per capita income, an increase in
employee vision care plans, and expanded Medicare coverage.  Increased
demand for vision care will also result from population growth, an
increasing population of older people, and more emphasis on prevention in
health care.  The public is also showing a greater awareness of how good
vision relates to driving, industrial production, student achievement, and
adjustment to aging.  All of the above should contribute to increased
employment prospects.

In addition, job opportunities should continue to expand because a large
percentage of practicing Optometrists will soon reach retirement age,
creating opportunities for new Optometrists to work as partners in existing
practices by replacing those who retire or otherwise leave the labor force.

Approximately 4,600 persons hold active licenses to practice optometry in
California, including those self-employed.  Although employment
opportunities are generally favorable in major metropolitan areas, some
small areas in California may have an adequate supply of practicing
Optometrists.


WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS

Incomes vary greatly, depending upon the geographic area, specialization,
number of years in practice, professional reputation, and other factors.
Earnings of new optometry graduates without experience range from $25,000 to
$52,000 annually, while those with four to five years of experience range
from $32,000 to $85,000 annually.  Earnings of Optometrists in private
practice in major metropolitan areas can sometimes exceed $125,000 annually.
Salary surveys show the average earnings for all Optometrists range from
$67,000 to $88,000, depending upon location and practice size.  Optometrists
who are employed by the State earn between $32,800 and $40,000 per year.

Optometrists who start out by working on a salaried basis tend to earn more
money initially than Optometrists who set up their own practice.  However,
in the long run, those with their own private practice have the potential to
earn more than those employed by other Optometrists, hospitals, health
agencies, or other firms.


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

In California, Optometrists must be licensed by the State Board of 
Optometry.  Applicants for this license must possess a Doctor of Optometry
degree from an accredited school or college of optometry.  In addition,
applicants must pass a written exam given by the National Board of Examiners
in Optometry, followed by a test of practical application given by the State
Board of Optometry.

Most optometry students complete a bachelor's degree before entering a four-
year program at a school of optometry.  However, exceptional students may be
accepted by a college of optometry after a minimum of two or three years of
undergraduate work.

Presently, there are 14 schools and colleges of optometry in the United
States accredited by the Council on Optometric Education of the American
Optometric Association.  The University of California, Berkeley, College of
Optometry and the Southern California College of Optometry in Fullerton are
accredited colleges of optometry in California.

Requirements for admission to these schools usually include courses in
English, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology.
Some schools also require courses in psychology, social studies, literature,
philosophy, and foreign languages. All applicants must take the Optometry
College Aptitude Test (OCAT).  Admission to optometry schools is highly
competitive.  Superior grades in preoptometric college courses may enhance
one's chances for acceptance.

Because many Optometrists are self-employed, business ability, self-
discipline, and the ability to deal with patients tactfully are necessary
for success.

Many beginning Optometrists enter into associate practice with an
Optometrist or other health professional.  Others purchase an established
practice or set up a new practice.  Some take salaried positions to obtain
experience and either work into a partnership or earn the necessary funds to
start their own practice.


ADVANCEMENT

Optometrists wishing to advance in a specialized field may study for a
master's or Ph.D. degree in visual science, physiological optics,
neurophysiology, public health, health administration, health information
and communication, or health education.  One-year graduate clinical
residency programs also are available in the optometric specialties of
family practice optometry, pediatric optometry, low vision rehabilitation,
contact lenses, neuro-optometry, and hospital optometry.  Optometrists who
enter the Armed Forces as career officers have the opportunity to work
toward advanced degrees and to do Research on vision problems, as well as
practicing optometry.


FINDING THE JOB

Applicants should contact practicing Optometrists, clinics, hospitals,
public health agencies, and health maintenance organizations.  Openings are
sometimes posted in college placement offices, trade journals, and in
newspaper classified ads.

ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION

California Optometric Association
P.O. Box 2591
2415 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 441-3990
http://www.coavision.org

State Board of Optometry
State of California/Department of Consumer Affairs
2420 Del Paso Road, Suite 255 
Sacramento, CA 95834
http://www.optometry.ca.gov

For information on admission requirements and sources of financial aid,
including federal loans and scholarships, contact individual optometry
schools.

RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES

Optical Ophthalmic Lab Technicians     No.     97
Dispensing Opticians                   No.    167
Optometric Assistants/Technicians      No.    470

OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th Ed., 1991)
Optometrist                         079.101-018

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System
Optometrists                             321080


Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
        Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
        (916) 262-2162.