Optometrist

Duties and Responsibilities: Perform vision tests and analyze results. Diagnose sight problems, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness and eye diseases, such as glaucoma. Prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, and medications. Provide treatments such as vision therapy or low-vision rehabilitation.

Salary:Part-timers average $81,937. Our reported annual wage for full-time practitioners came in a little high, considering the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) mean wage for 2014 is $113,010. However, the BLS does not include self-employed optometrists, who often report higher wages.

Education:The prerequisites for an optometry doctoral program include a bachelor's degree and completion of the Optometry Admission Test given by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. Students should make sure that they complete courses in biology, calculus, laboratory science, physiology and chemistry.

Demand or need for this profession :Employment of optometrists is projected to grow 24 percent between 2008 and 2018. A growing population that recognizes the importance of good eye care will increase demand for optometrists. Also, an increasing number of health insurance plans that include vision care should generate more job growth.

As the population ages, there will likely be more visits to optometrists and ophthalmologists because of the onset of vision problems that occur at older ages, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. In addition, increased incidences of diabetes and hypertension in the general population as well as in the elderly will generate greater demand for optometrist services as these diseases often affect eyesight.

Reflection: I really got into this profession it got my attention and I think I would like to become a optometrist. They get paid good enough to have a nice house and be living in a nice place. This job also is good because it is very good to help people with their vision.