Optometry is the art and science of vision care.
Optometrists, with the aid of optometric assistants and optometric
technicians, examine the eye for defects and faults of refraction, then
prescribe corrective lenses or therapy. Opticians and optical laboratory
technicians work together to fill the prescriptions of the optometrist or
ophthalmologist (a physician who specializes in the treatment of eye diseases
and injuries) for the corrective lenses, and then ensure that they fit the
patient correctly. Ophthalmic technologists assist ophthalmologists in the
diagnosis and treatment of visual problems. Vision therapy may be used to correct
amblyopia, strabismus, visual perception, reading disorders, poor eye
coordination, and poor visual acuity, which can affect an individual’s
quality of life.
Vision is extremely important in education, work, and play
because more than 80 percent of learning is visual. Studies have shown that
good vision improves the production and morale of workers and that athletic
performance is enhanced when vision problems are corrected. Vision care
personnel are vital to industry, public health, recreation, highway safety,
education, and the community. They work to promote the prevention of eye
injury and disease and the maintenance of good health and vision
Ophthalmic Medical Technologist
Ophthalmic Medical
Technologists are specialists in the eye health care team. They assist
ophthalmologists by collecting data and testing measurements to ensure the
accurate diagnosis and treatment of a diseased eye.
Work Activities
Using sophisticated
equipment and techniques to gather information about a patient’s condition
during eye examinations
Assisting
with eye surgery, using microscopic and intricate technical instruments
Making
sure the patient understands his or her diagnosis and treatment procedures
Interacting
with other eye health care professionals to ensure optimum patient care
Career Specialties
Ophthalmic technology lends itself to various avenues of
specialization, including ophthalmic photography, ophthalmic ultrasonography,
contact lenses, ophthalmic surgical technology, electrophysiology, and
low-vision optics. Within the clinical setting, Ophthalmic Technologists may
specialize in pediatric, general, or gerontologic ophthalmology. Other
opportunities are available within the fields of teaching, business, or sales.
Work Settings
Ophthalmic Technologists generally are employed by
ophthalmologists’ private practices, clinics, or hospitals. They often develop
a one-to-one relationship with the patient, and they may be required to examine
diseased eyes and participate in surgical procedures.
Special Requirements
Students who complete two years of college (60 college
credits) are eligible to apply to a two-year ophthalmic technology clinical
program. Upon graduation, students take a written examination for
certification, offered by the Joint Commission of Allied Health Personnel in
Ophthalmology, and a national oral practical examination. If both tests are
passed, the candidate will be recognized as a Certified Ophthalmic Medical
Technologist.
Educational Institutions
UAMS (B)
For more information, contact:
Joint Commission on Allied Health
Personnel in Ophthalmology
Optical Laboratory
Mechanics set up and operate machines to cut, grind, and polish lenses
according to prescriptions.
Work Activities
Reading
the lens and frame specifications from prescriptions
Selecting
proper lens blanks
Marking
lens blanks according to specifications using lens-measuring equipment
Mounting
lenses in metal, plastic, or rimless frames
Inspecting
mounted lenses for conformance to specifications
Making
necessary modifications to lenses
Examining
broken lenses to identify original prescriptions
Career Specialties
Optical Laboratory Mechanics may specialize, with the scope
of their duties varying according to the size and type of establishment where
they work. In large laboratories, technicians may specialize in one phase or
operation. In small labs, they may work in all or most of the specialty areas.
Work Settings
Most Optical Laboratory Mechanics work in optical
laboratories under the direction of lab supervisors. Others work for dispensing
opticians, ophthalmologists, or optometrists. Although they may work with
others, Technicians perform much of their work independently. Modern optical
processing techniques have eliminated unpleasant odors and dust from optical
labs. However, noise from power grinding machines and other equipment is to be
expected. Sometimes goggles are worn to protect eyes.
Special Requirements
Nearly all Optical Laboratory Mechanics learn their skills
on the job. Employers filling entry level trainee jobs prefer applicants who
are high school graduates. Courses in science and mathematics are valuable,
while manual dexterity and the ability to do precision work is essential.
Opticians design,
order, and adjust eyeglasses and contact lenses for patients whose eyesight has
been tested by a physician (ophthalmologist) or an optometrist.
Work Activities
Analyzing
and interpreting a written optical prescription (from the examining
doctor) to determine the lens
specifications required
Measuring
the customer’s facial features
Assisting
the customer in selecting the style and color of eyeglass frames and
lenses by advising them of the size and shape best suited to both their
facial features and their optical prescription
Preparing
a work order that gives an optical laboratory the information needed to
fabricate lenses and to mount lenses in frames
Verifying
that the finished lenses are exact by checking the power and surface
quality with special optical instruments
Adjusting
finished eyeglasses to fit the customer by heating and shaping plastic
frames, or by bending metal frames using pliers
Instructing
customers in the care of eyeglasses and contact lenses
Performing
follow-up services, such as fixing broken frames, replacing temple screws,
and adjusting and refitting glasses
In some shops, Opticians may mount lenses in frames. They
may sell optical goods, such as binoculars, cameras, sunglasses, magnifying
glasses, and low-vision aids.
Career Specialties
Contact Lens Opticians, or Contact Lens Technicians, order and
fit contact lenses. They prepare a work order similar to that for eyeglasses,
except that measurements for the corneas of the customer’s eyes are included.
They instruct customers on inserting, removing, and caring for the lenses. They
may make minor adjustments to finished lenses for a more comfortable fit.
Work Settings
Opticians may operate their own businesses. Also, they may
work for owners or managers of retail optical outlets, for ophthalmologists or
optometrists who sell glasses directly to patients, or for supervisors in eye
clinics and hospitals. Opticians usually perform their work independently and
spend most of their time dealing directly with the public.
Optometric Assistants
and Optometric Technicians, sometimes called Paraoptometrics, perform a
combination of tasks to assist the optometrist in eye examinations and
corrective procedures.
Work Activities
Obtaining
and recording the patient’s preliminary case history
Maintaining
records, schedules, and announcements
Preparing
the patient for the vision examination
Assisting
with various eye tests
Instructing
the patient in the care and use of glasses or contact lenses
Working
with the patient in vision therapy
Assisting
the patient in frame selection
Adjusting
and repairing glasses or contact lenses
Maintaining
an inventory of materials and cleaning the instruments
Helping
to make eyeglasses or contact lenses
Performing
general and ocular test procedures
Work Settings
Optometric Assistants and Optometric Technicians are
supervised by an optometrist. They work in optometrists’ offices with other
optometric professionals, and few hazards are associated with the job.
Optometrists, or
Doctors of Optometry, help people preserve and improve their vision by
examining, diagnosing, and treating conditions of the vision system.
Work Activities
Examining, diagnosing,
and treating conditions of eyes and related structures of the human vision
system to enhance visual performance and efficiency and to diagnose and
treat eye diseases and
other abnormalities
Diagnosing and treating
patients with visual pathology or ocular-related diseases, and referring
patients in need of surgery to other medical practitioners
Diagnosing and treating
the cause of defects in the human vision system
Examining the vision system
for proper depth and color perception
Analyzing the patient’s
ability to focus and coordinate eye movement
Measuring peripheral
(side) vision
Prescribing corrective
procedures, such as the use of
lenses, prisms, and exercises, or other forms of
vision therapy
Administering
diagnostic pharmaceutical agents to examine the human vision system for
pathology or other abnormalities
Administering and
prescribing ocular-related therapeutic pharmaceutical agents to treat
diseases
of the eye and related structures
Prescribing and
dispensing eyeglasses and contact lenses
Providing examination
and treatment services related to occupational and sports vision,
low-vision
(partially sighted) services, vision-related learning disabilities, and
pediatric and geriatric vision care
Career Specialties
Optometrists
may specialize in treating the elderly or in treating children with
visually-related learning problems. Some work to rehabilitate the partially
sighted who can be helped with microscopic or telescopic lenses. Others
specialize in the visual safety of industrial workers or in environmental
vision care. Optometrists may perform vision training or vision therapy. Also,
they may specialize in prescribing and fitting contact lenses. Some
Optometrists become specialists by earning a master’s or doctoral degree in
such programs as physiological optics, neurophysiology, public health
administration, health information and communication, or health education. They
also may conduct research, teach at a college or university, act as a
consultant, or work in the public health field.
Work Settings
Optometrists
may be employed by universities, optical manufacturers, governmental health
agencies, or hospitals. Most Optometrists are self-employed and practice alone.
Others are in partnerships or in group practices with other Optometrists or
health professionals as part of a health care team. Optometrists may direct the
work of optometric technicians, optometric assistants and/or receptionists.
Most optometric care is provided in a professional office atmosphere. The work
is relatively hazard-free.
Special Requirements
The
most common requirements for entering an optometry program are completing
pre-professional courses at an accredited college or university, taking the
Optometry College Admission Test (OCAT), and completing application forms.
Student selection is based on high school, college, and pre-professional course
grades, academic aptitude, OCAT results, recommendations, and personal
interviews.
Educational Institutions
(ACM) Northeastern State
University-Tahlequah, OK, Southern College of Optometry-Memphis, TN,
University of Missouri-St. Louis
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences - Regional Programs
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Optometry is the art and science of vision care.
Optometrists, with the aid of optometric assistants and optometric
technicians, examine the eye for defects and faults of refraction, then
prescribe corrective lenses or therapy. Opticians and optical laboratory
technicians work together to fill the prescriptions of the optometrist or
ophthalmologist (a physician who specializes in the treatment of eye diseases
and injuries) for the corrective lenses, and then ensure that they fit the
patient correctly. Ophthalmic technologists assist ophthalmologists in the
diagnosis and treatment of visual problems. Vision therapy may be used to correct
amblyopia, strabismus, visual perception, reading disorders, poor eye
coordination, and poor visual acuity, which can affect an individual’s
quality of life.