The Optometrist is a professional who assess and individual’s eye-sight and prescribes corrective vision care. Optometry is one of the top ten income-earning professions in the country today.

Job Prospects

Optometrists can be described as Doctors who are qualified to help us see well. Included in their job profile is diagnosing vision problems, identifying conditions caused by general diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure and testing eyes for color perception, depth perception and focus. They also prescribe drugs, eyeglasses, contact lenses and care for patients before and after vision correction or cataract removal surgeries. While most Optometrists take up private practice handling even entrepreneurial and franchise dimensions of their business, there are others who work in hospitals, become Consultants; take up research, teaching or even write books on the subject. Optometrists often choose to specialize in areas of sports vision, contact-lenses, vision –therapy, child vision and vision for the elderly. The initial salary of an Optometrists in a government organization is Rs. 10,000 or above plus other allowances. Salaried Optometrists tend to earn more initially than those who set up their own practices/ Business. However, ultimately those in private practice / business, once established, usually earn more.

Attributes

Patience, manual dexterity and a confident manner are important skills for the work  of an Optometrist. The essential characteristics to become a licensed Optometrist are mechanical aptitude, good vision and coordination. Self-discipline, a disposition to serve others, work ethics characterized by dedication and persistence and the ability to deal tactfully with patients are some other qualities to become a successful Optometrist.

Eligibility

To practice as an Optometrist, it is essential to have a Bachelor’s degree in Optometry (B.Optom). Eligibility for this course is 10+2 with minimum 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Mathematics. Candidates satisfying the eligibility criteria have to appear for the EYECET examination for entry into Optometry courses. Those aiming to pursue research or taking up teaching assignments in future often pursue their Masters followed by PhDs in the subject.