8 Career Paths in Optometry after a BSc
- Natalia Ferkova
- Nov 12
- 3 min read
Autor: Pavla Cermakova
Are you considering career paths in optometry? Have you just finished your studies in this field, and don’t know where you can use your skills? This article will help both of these groups.
Optician vs optometrist
For people who are not experts in eye care terminology, names of professions like opticians and optometrists can sound a little similar. So what’s the difference between them? Opticians specialize only in finalizing the process of people getting their glasses. Checking prescriptions, adjusting glasses, and helping out with overall glass selection.
An optometrist, on the other hand, comes before all of this. Providing primary eye care service and performing examinations is the job objective. If any unwanted change in the eyesight happens, the optometrist offers the solution.
Salary of an optometrist
The career of an optometrist belongs to the well-paid group of professions. The amount varies throughout the paths. But generally, it can be said that private practices are more profitable. To give an idea of where in the world are optometrist paid the best, it’s in Japan. In this country eye doctors can earn up to $130,000 per year.
Career paths in optometry
To become an optometrist, there is a requirement for an optometrist degree from a university. The Bachelor of Science Degree at least or the Master of Science in Optometry.
Unlike many other university programs, the absolvents in optometry consider their studies useful. As we can see here, 91% of optometry graduates agree that their current activity is meaningful.
Particular career paths in optometry
Private Practice Optometry
In the realm of private practice, there are numerous options that graduates can consider. In particular, the enterprising ones can establish their practice independently. Alternatively, they may opt for the group option, choosing some form of partnership with another optometrist.
Specialized Optometry
Optometrists can specialize in various fields. As optometry as an eye discipline grows, the specialization can expand. What’s more, it can be categorized in the following ways: Specialty contact lenses, Myopia control, Pediatric optometry, Vision therapy optometry, Ocular surface disease, Geriatric optometry, Low vision optometry, Neuro-optometry, and Sports vision optometry.
Academia and Research
An academic optometrist is in an academic role whose responsibilities include teaching and contributing to journals or committees. Additionally, work in optometry research is combined with research, development, and delivering a range of healthcare services.
Hospital or Medical Center Practice
In hospital or medical center-based optometry, there is a greater diversity of eye conditions than in private practice, and cooperation with other eye specialists is essential. Apart from that, it can offer generous employment benefits.
Ophthalmic Industry
Working in the industry revolves around manufacturing optician products and services. The departments to choose from are multiple. For example, they can be product development, marketing, administration, etc.
Consulting Optometry
In consulting optometry, an optometry consultant can provide valuable advice to individuals, practices, or businesses based on their expertise. This advice can help with internal processes, resolving problems, introducing new services/technologies, or answering questions.
Public Health Optometry
In this optometrist path, the aim is to prevent vision problems and promote visual health through organized efforts and informed choices of society. Additionally, it makes use of local resources and extends services to areas in need.
International Outreach and Humanitarian Work
Moreover, public health optometry can be extended to international measures. The most need for optometry assistance is in developed countries, where there is inefficient eye care service.
Career paths in optometry
Various career paths in optometry can satisfy every optometrist graduate personally and professionally. So hopefully, this article gives you an idea of what the right path could be for you.
Comments