1. My whole life I have always wanted to do something where people will remember me. When facing these important decisions, it is very easy to become confused. I once was very uncertain about any career goals I may have had, but now, I am more sure of the direction my life is going. I went through millions of career choices before I came to the conclusion of an optometrist. Optometrists are now and have been for a long time a basic necessity of society. This project allowed me to further explore the career, and helped me get a grasp on whether or not it would be a good choice for me.<br />Optometrists, also known as doctors of optometry, or ODs, provide most basic vision care. They diagnose, manage and treat conditions and diseases of the eyes and visual system. ODs examine people’s eyes to diagnose vision problems and eye diseases, and they prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses. Optometrists also administer drugs to patients to aid in the diagnosis of vision problems and prescribe drugs to treat some eye diseases. Optometrists should not be confused with ophthalmologists or dispensing opticians. Ophthalmologists are physicians who perform eye surgery, in addition to diagnosing and treating eye conditions. Dispensing opticians fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, following prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists. Why See An Optometrist? You should see an optometrist because the ability to see is considered by most people as their most important sense.<br />Students interested in becoming an optometrist should take high school courses in algebra, chemistry, calculus, geometry, biology, physics, literature, computer skills, English, and health occupations/medical professions education. After graduating, I must first complete either 90 semester credits of college, or a bachelor’s degree in a science related field. Then I must take the Optometry College Admission Test (OCAT) and apply to a school of optometry. Requirements for admission to optometry schools include college courses in English, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. Upon completion of a 4-year program at an accredited optometry school, individuals must pass written and clinical state board examinations to become licensed. Licenses must be renewed every 1-3 years. <br />Optometrists work in settings that are clean, well-lighted, and comfortable. Most full-time optometrists work about 40 hours a week. Many work Saturdays and evenings to suit the needs of patients. A lot of optometrists are in general practice. Some specialize in work with the elderly, children, or partially sighted persons who need specialized visual devices. A few teach optometry, perform research, or consult. Other optometrists are private practitioners who also handle the business features of running an office, such as developing a patient base, hiring employees, keeping records, and ordering equipment and supplies. Optometrists must be detail-oriented, well-organized, personable, and approachable, since much of their work is viewing and evaluating very fine details, and working in close proximity to patients and clients. <br />A few salaried jobs for optometrists were in hospitals, the Federal Government, or outpatient care centers, including health maintenance organizations. About 25 percent of optometrists are self-employed. A small number worked for optical chains or franchises or as independent contractors. The number of jobs is greater than the number of practicing optometrists because some optometrists hold two or more jobs. Employment expected to grow 24% by 2018 in this career. This expansion is due to the expanding eye care needs of a growing and aging population. As the baby boom generation becomes older, they will be more likely to visit optometrists and ophthalmologists because of vision problems that start occurring around middle age. Employment will also grow due to the increasing importance that is being placed on proper vision care. New advancements in surgical procedures using lasers will also create a demand for newly trained optometrists.<br /> The average wage range is $70,140 to $125,460/yr. The self-employed wage ranges: $100.704 to$176,944/year. The median expected salary for a typical Optometrist in York, PA, is $101,888. The Optometrist median salary is $51.42 per hour. The lowest 10% earn $23.19 per hour and those in the upper 10% earn more than $80.00 per hour. The pay can be dramatically affected by compensable factors such as employer size, industry, employee credentials, years of experience and others. <br />In conclusion, this career takes more skill and dedication than most, and only the best of the best succeed. For someone to become a good optometrist demonstrates that they have a good work ethic, and the drive to succeed at all costs. This is a position I would recommend only for those that are willing to put in the work, and I am willing to do so.<br />Sources<br />http://www.explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career.11.aspx<br />www.opted.org<br />