Careers in Optometry

There are a number of practice opportunities available to optometrists, making it one of the most versatile healthcare occupations. An optometrist may choose to go into private practice, either in a solo practice or in a group practice, or he/she may prefer to work in a hospital setting. There are also opportunities to work in a referral center alongside ophthalmologists or in large retail chain stores. A number of optometrists specialize in a certain area of vision care such as sports vision, low vision services for the visually impaired, pediatrics, geriatrics, contact lenses, ocular disease, or vision therapy. An optometrist may also choose to enter into optometric research or academia.

Solo Private Practice

The solo practice optometrist is usually a general primary care practitioner. The range of treatment is the most diversified and challenging of all the many different modes of practice. From foreign body removals and glaucoma treatment to the fitting of contact lenses, the optometrist must be skilled in all aspects of vision care. Also, the solo practitioner must adequately manage a practice that includes staff training, patient management, and insurance billing. Some private practice optometrists also specialize in one of the areas mentioned above.

Group Practice

An increasingly popular mode, group practice is very similar to solo practice. Group practices may consist of partners or associates, or both – much like a busy law firm. Each doctor has the opportunity to focus on a different specialty, allowing for a greater patient population. Also, working schedules are more flexible and overhead costs are shared, making this perhaps the most lucrative of optometric practices.

Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO's)

In this setting, the optometrist is one of various types of primary health care providers contracted by the HMO to manage the healthcare of its members.

Retail

Though still independent practitioners, these optometrists must rent space from large retail outlets. Often, the scope of practice is limited by the procedures of the corporation, which owns and manages the dispensary.

Ophthalmologic Practice

Often called a referral center, this setting allows the optometrist to work closely with ophthalmology, often providing co-management services. These optometrists will generally see a larger share of refractive surgery or ocular disease patients than may be found in a solo or group private practice. It is crutial to find a mutually respectful group of practitioners that work well together.

Military and Public Service

The U.S. Armed Forces commissions optometrists as officers who work in hospitals or clinics alongside other health care providers. Often times, officers work in Veteran's Affairs hospitals, although some civilian doctors are also employed by VA hospitals. There are also positions with Public Health or Indian Health Services.

Academia

In order to pursue a career in teaching or research, an optometrist must complete advanced training after optometry school. In addition to a residency, an M.S. or Ph.D. degree is often required.

Corporate

Optometrists are employed by corporations, such as pharmaceutical and contact lens companies, to carry out research, perform clinical trials of products, and coordinate the marketing of products. Optometrists also work as consultants to corporation in the field of industry, education, and sports.