Page 16 - True Stories

Real lives. Real impact.
That’s why we do it.
Doctors of optometry are the primary-
care doctors of the eye and the frontline protectors of vision—our most valued sense. In ways big and small, day out and day in, doctors of optometry make a real difference in the lives of their patients. Vision corrected. Blindness prevented. Diseases averted. Lives changed. That’s what Doctors of Optometry do.
As a doctor of optometry, you will do well for yourself while doing much for others. A career in optometry lets you:
Ensure a secure future. You can expect a good income and a solid employment picture. The demand for optometric services will only grow as the population ages and the need for eye
Optometry offers an average netincomeof $143,520
As highly educated experts of the eye, doctors of optometry preserve ocular health and diagnose, treat, and manage disorders that affect the eye or vision. An optometrist’s day is filled with a challenging and varied array of care, from prescribing glasses and contact lenses, to treating diseases such as glaucoma and retinopathy, to performing minor surgical procedures and providing
pre- and post-operative care to patients undergoing ophthalmologic surgery. Patients leave their optometrist’s office with a smile and a brighter focus—the greatest of the profession’s many rewards.
As primary-care providers, doctors of optometry are educated, just as other physicians are, in general health and systemic disease. Optometrists are often the first to detect critical health issues—from diabetes to hypertension, from stroke to cancer—and refer their patients for timely treatment. Optometrists therefore enjoy the dual satisfaction of having the specialized knowledge to manage their patients’ eye health as well as the medical education to protect their overall wellness.
and vision care increases. In fact, employment in optometry is projected to grow 4% through 2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Optometrists also enjoy a competitive salary with impressive room for growth. Data from the American Optometric Association shows an average net income of $143,520.
Pursue unlimited options. You can practice
in city, suburban, or rural communities. You can run your own solo practice or join a group practice. You can work independently or pursue employment in clinical, academic, or other settings. You can serve in the military, government, or public health sectors.
You can pursue many specialty practices,
from pediatrics or geriatrics to sports vision or rehabilitative vision. Optometry is a profession that adapts to life’s changing responsibilities and opportunities.