Optometrists are health professionals who treat patients for common eye health and vision problems. For example, optometrists can make medical diagnoses and prescribe medications and visual aids such as eyeglasses or contact lenses, but they will refer patients to an opthalmologist if the patient needs more sophisticated treatment than the optometrist can offer, such as complicated eye surgery.
Optometrists use instruments and observation to test peoples' eye health and sight capabilities.
They also educate people about proper eye health and helpful remedies such as eye exercises. You must complete high school or your GED and pass certain college-preparatory classes, including English, math and science. Finish four years of college in a bachelor's degree program at a four-year college. Complete either three or four years of graduate school in an accredited optometry program or PhD program. Pass a written and clinical state board licensing examination.