Download File optometrists

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By Debbie A, McKnight
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Doctors of Optometry (OD) provide most of the primary
vision care that people need.
They
o examine,
o diagnose,
o treat and manage eye diseases
o and disorders.
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Optometrists may administer drugs for diagnostic purposes,
and in many states, prescribe drugs to treat eye diseases.
Traditionally,
o they prescribe eyeglasses,
o contact lenses,
o vision therapy
o
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and low vision aids.
They may also use special tests and tools to identify and
evaluate vision defects that are symptomatic of other
diseases.
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Optometrists may specialize in working with
o children,
the elderly,
o or partially-sighted people who need special visual aids to improve
their vision.
o
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They may concentrate on education and/or perform
scientific research.
Other specialized practices include
o contact lenses,
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occupational vision (to protect and preserve worker’s vision
and minimize eye strain),
pediatrics,
sport vision,
and vision therapy.
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In addition to testing for visual acuity, measuring color
vision, and caring for eyeglasses, ophthalmic care staff
members may perform other skills such as instilling eye
drops.
o Eye drops are used to dilate the pupils or treat disease.
o Care should be taken to avoid errors when instilling eye drops.
Chapter 27
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 Diagnoses
and treats clients with
amblyopia, strabismus, defects in
eye movements, and binocular
vision.
Chapter 27
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The Job of Ophthalmic Medical Personnel (cont.)
o Administer topical ophthalmic and oral medications.
o Instruct the client in care and use of contact lenses.
o Maintain and sterilize surgical instruments.
o Assist with ophthalmic surgery.
o Assist with fitting contact lenses.
o Provide supervision and instruction to other ophthalmic medical
personnel.
Chapter 27
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The majority of optometrists are in private practice, usually
in their own offices.
Since they are self-employed, they may set their own hours.
Many work in the evening and on Saturdays to
accommodate their patients’ schedules.
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Opportunities for employment exist in
o health maintenance organizations (HMOs),
multidisciplinary practices, hospitals,
o commercial optical facilities,
o and commission in the military
o
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Optometrists wishing to teach or do research may study for
an additional master’s or PhD degree in various fields.
These include
o visual science,
o physiological optics,
o neurophysiology,
public health,
o health administration,
o health information and communication,
o or health education.
o
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Postgraduate clinical residency programs are available for
those wishing to specialize in
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a particular area of eye care such as family practice optometry,
pediatric optometry,
vision therapy,
contact lenses,
hospital-based optometry,
or ocular disease.
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Students must earn a Bachelor’s degree and complete a
four-year accredited program at a college of optometry.
All applicants must take the Optometry Admission Test
(OAT) to be considered for
Attend a college of optometry 4 years
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To practice in Texas, optometrists must pass a state
licensing exam.
Applicants for licensure must have a Doctor of Optometry
degree (OD) from an optometric program accredited by the
American Optometric Association Council on Optometric
Education and must pass both a written National Board
examination and a National, Regional, or State clinical
examination.
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University of Houston
Houston, TX
University of Incarnate Word San Antonio, TX
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Job Outlook
Starting Salary $97,000
5 Years- $135,000
10 years-$183,000