Optometrists Queens New York City
Opticians Ophthalmologists Eye Doctors Designer Glasses Eye Exams
Contact Lens Eye Care
Optometrists Forest Hills NY
Vision Care
Eye Care
Dr. Arlene Schwartz Optometrist
98-08 Metropolitan Ave. Forest Hills NY 11375
Forest Hills Vision Associates
Dr. Paul Soren & Dr. Bradley W. Kaplan
69-39 Austin St Forest Hills NY 11375
Eye Care Specialties of New York
Kim Staiman Rothstein Optometry
Dr. Robert Rothstein Ophthamolgy
108-14 72nd ave. Forest Hills NY 11375
Optometrists Kew Garden NY
Optometrists Rego Park NY
Optometrists Maspeth NY
Optometrists Middle Village NY
Introduction to Optometrists
Nature of the Work,Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
Significant Points
* Admission to optometry school is competitive.
* To be licensed, optometrists must earn a Doctor of Optometry degree from
an accredited optometry school and pass the appropriate exams administered
by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry.
* Employment is expected to grow as fast as average in response to the vision
care needs of a growing and aging population.
Nature of the Work
Optometrists, also known as doctors of optometry, or ODs,
are the main providers of vision care. They examine people's eyes to diagnose
vision problems, such as nearsightedness and farsightedness, and they test
patients' depth and color perception and ability to focus and coordinate
the eyes. Optometrists may prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses, or they
may prescribe or provide other treatments, such as vision therapy or low-vision
rehabilitation.
Optometrists also test for glaucoma and other eye diseases and diagnose
conditions caused by systemic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure,
referring patients to other health practitioners as needed. They administer
drugs to patients to aid in the diagnosis of vision problems and to treat
eye diseases. Optometrists often provide preoperative and postoperative
care to cataract patients, as well as to patients who have had laser vision
correction or other eye surgery.
Most optometrists are in general practice. Some specialize in work with
the elderly, children, or partially sighted persons who need specialized
visual devices. Others develop and implement ways to protect workers' eyes
from on-the-job strain or injury. Some specialize in contact lenses, sports
vision, or vision therapy. A few teach optometry, perform research, or consult.
Most optometrists are private practitioners who also handle the business
aspects of running an office, such as developing a patient base, hiring
employees, keeping paper and electronic records, and ordering equipment
and supplies. Optometrists who operate franchise optical stores also may
have some of these duties.
Optometrists should not be confused with ophthalmologists or dispensing
opticians. Ophthalmologists are physicians who perform eye surgery,
as well as diagnose and treat eye diseases and injuries. Like optometrists,
they also examine eyes and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses. Dispensing
opticians fit and adjust eyeglasses and, in some States, may fit contact
lenses according to prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists.
(See the sections on physicians and surgeons; and opticians, dispensing,
elsewhere in the Handbook.)
Work environment. Optometrists work in places-usually their
own offices-that are clean, well lighted, and comfortable. Most full-time
optometrists work about 40 hours a week. Many work weekends and evenings
to suit the needs of patients. Emergency calls, once uncommon, have increased
with the passage of therapeutic-drug laws expanding optometrists' ability
to prescribe medications.
Optometrists who work in solo practice or with a partner tend to work longer
hours because they must tend to administrative duties in addition to their
medical ones. According to the American Optometric Association surveys,
optometrists worked about 49 hours per week, on average, in 2004, and were
available to see patients about 38 hours per week.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
The Doctor of Optometry degree requires the completion of a 4-year program
at an accredited optometry school, preceded by at least 3 years of preoptometric
study at an accredited college or university. All States require optometrists
to be licensed.
Education and training. Optometrists need a Doctor of Optometry
degree, which requires the completion of a 4-year program at an accredited
optometry school. In 2006, there were 16 colleges of optometry in the U.S.
and 1 in Puerto Rico that offered programs accredited by the Accreditation
Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association.
Requirements for admission to optometry schools include college courses
in English, mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. Because a strong
background in science is important, many applicants to optometry school
major in a science, such as biology or chemistry as undergraduates. Others
major in another subject and take many science courses offering laboratory
experience.
Admission to optometry school is competitive. Applicants must take the Optometry
Admissions Test, which measures academic ability and scientific comprehension.
As a result, most applicants take the test after their sophomore or junior
year in college, allowing them an opportunity to take the test again and
raise their score. A few applicants are accepted to optometry school after
3 years of college and complete their bachelor's degree while attending
optometry school. However, most students accepted by a school or college
of optometry have completed an undergraduate degree. Each institution has
its own undergraduate prerequisites, so applicants should contact the school
or college of their choice for specific requirements.
Optometry programs include classroom and laboratory study of health and
visual sciences and clinical training in the diagnosis and treatment of
eye disorders. Courses in pharmacology, optics, vision science, biochemistry,
and systemic diseases are included.
One-year postgraduate clinical residency programs are available for optometrists
who wish to obtain advanced clinical competence. Specialty areas for residency
programs include family practice optometry, pediatric optometry, geriatric
optometry, vision therapy and rehabilitation, low-vision rehabilitation,
cornea and contact lenses, refractive and ocular surgery, primary eye care
optometry, and ocular disease.
Licensure. All States and the District of Columbia require
that optometrists be licensed. Applicants for a license must have a Doctor
of Optometry degree from an accredited optometry school and must pass both
a written National Board examination and a National, regional, or State
clinical examination. The written and clinical examinations of the National
Board of Examiners in Optometry usually are taken during the student's academic
career. Many States also require applicants to pass an examination on relevant
State laws. Licenses must be renewed every 1 to 3 years and, in all States,
continuing education credits are needed for renewal.
Other qualifications. Business ability, self-discipline, and
the ability to deal tactfully with patients are important for success. The
work of optometrists also requires attention to detail and manual dexterity.
Advancement. Optometrists wishing to teach or conduct research
may study for a master's degree or Ph.D. in visual science, physiological
optics, neurophysiology, public health, health administration, health information
and communication, or health education.