Optometrists is in the Health Services Career Cluster. Very good ability to mentally picture objects, such as the interior of the eye Good ability see details when looking at a patients eyes Good ability to talk to a patient and gather information about them Good ability to use words when speaking to patients Good ability to work with numbers Ability to coordinate the movement of eyes and hands when using equipment Ability to make decisions and solve problems Ability to make precise measurements and readings Ability to move the fingers accurately when putting lenses on a patient's eye Ability to move the hands easily and skillfully Ability to see the difference between colors Desire to help patients with their physical needs Physical Demands Constantly use arms and hands to reach for and handle equipment and knobs Frequently need to see nearby objects clearly, as when reading a chart Frequently talk and listen to patients Frequently use fingers to pick up items, such as contact lenses Frequently judge the distance between objects, such as a contact lens and a patients eye Occasionally need to tell the difference between colors Occasionally stoop while examining patients Occasionally lift and move objects that weigh up to 20 pounds Work Setting Optometrists work inside. Most optometrists work 40 hours a week. However, some work more than 50 hours a week. Optometrists who work for optical store chains may work weekends and evenings.
Optometrists often work past normal retirement age.
They may wear lab jackets. Wages vary according to training and experience. Entry level wages may be lower. Pay varies with the employer's location and the worker's specialty and experience. The cost of opening a private practice is high.