Optometry

• Apprenticeship Programs:

  • Combination of on-the-job training and related instructions
  • Workers learn the aspects of a specific occupation
• Corrective lenses:

  • Lenses worn in front of the eye to correct vision problems
  • Can be glasses or contact lenses
• Dispensing Optician:

  • Professional trained to fit and adjust eyeglasses
  • Does not examine or prescribe
• Doctor of Optometry:

  • Requires completion of a four-year program at an accredited optometry school
• Franchises:

  • Licensing granted to an individual or group to market a company's goods or services
• Health and visual sciences:

  • Course of study for a student in an optometry program
• Laser Surgery:

  • Surgery performed on the eyes using a laser tool
• Lensometer:

  • Instrument similar in shape to a microscope
  • Used by an ophthalmic laboratory technician
• Low-vision rehabilitation:

  • Restoration to normal or near normal function for patients
• Ocular disease:

  • Eye disease that must be treated by optometrists
• Ophthalmic laboratory technician:

  • Professional that grinds and creates lenses for glasses based on orders from dispensing opticians
• Ophthalmologists:

  • Medical doctors specializing in treating diseases or injuries of the eye
• Optics:

  • Coursework required for those wishing to work in the field of optometry
• Optometrists:

  • Medical professionals providing vision care
  • Also known as doctors of optometry
• Optometry Admissions Test (OAT):

  • Standardized exam measuring academic ability
• Vision Therapy:

  • Treatment for individuals with vision issues
• Optometrists prescribe:

  • Glasses or contact lenses
  • Medicine
  • Vision therapy
  • Low vision rehabilitation
  • Tests
• Most optometrists work as primary care optometrists in a general practice
• Dispensing Opticians:

  • Fit and adjust glasses
  • May also fit contacts written by ophthalmologists or optometrists
• Optometrists need:

  • Doctor of Optometry degree
  • Four years of accredited school of optometry
  • Must take the OAT
• All states and District of Columbia require optometrists to be licensed
• For licensing, must have:

  • Doctor of Optometry degree from an accredited school
  • Pass written national board examination
  • Pass a national, regional, or state clinical examination
• License renewal:

  • Every 1-3 years
  • Continuing education credits required
• Dispensing optician's license requirements vary by location
• High school diploma is the minimum requirement for dispensing opticians, some college courses may be beneficial
• Formal training is available for dispensing opticians
• Dispensing opticians may pass:

  • State practical, written, and certification exams by the American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE)
• Any optician may apply for certification from the ABO and the NCLE, renewal every three years with continuing education
• Technicians:

  • Learn on the job
  • Hired from formal training or with a high school diploma
  • Usually start as helpers