Occupations/29-1041.00
Optometrists
Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment. May prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat specific eye conditions.
Usually a graduate or professional degree.
AI automation risk
37%
More resilient
Human characteristics
79%
Strong human-characteristic mix
Task orientation
75%
Higher automation risk
A day in this job
- Mostly human
Educate and counsel patients on contact lens care, visual hygiene, lighting arrangements, and safety factors.
- Mostly human
Examine eyes, using observation, instruments, and pharmaceutical agents, to determine visual acuity and perception, focus, and coordination and to diagnose diseases and other abnormalities, such as glaucoma or color blindness.
- Task
Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.
The tasks we can read here lean on people, judgment, or hands-on work. The AI risk number is still this job’s rank against other occupations.
Core tasks
- 01Examine eyes, using observation, instruments, and pharmaceutical agents, to determine visual acuity and perception, focus, and coordination and to diagnose diseases and other abnormalities, such as glaucoma or color blindness.
- 02Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.
- 03Prescribe, supply, fit and adjust eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids.
- 04Prescribe medications to treat eye diseases if state laws permit.
- 05Educate and counsel patients on contact lens care, visual hygiene, lighting arrangements, and safety factors.
- 06Remove foreign bodies from the eye.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks3.95
- Degree of automation2.30
- Time sitting3.71
- Originality (ability)2.88
- Conflict situations3.43
- Hands-on objects/tools4.35
- Outdoors / weather1.00
- Disease exposure4.00
- Decision freedom4.71
Top abilities
- Problem Sensitivity4.12
- Oral Expression4.12
- Written Comprehension4.00
- Oral Comprehension4.00
- Near Vision4.00
- Inductive Reasoning4.00
- Deductive Reasoning4.00
- Written Expression3.88
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension4.12
- Active Listening4.12
- Writing4.00
- Speaking4.00
- Mathematics3.00
- Science3.75
- Critical Thinking4.12
- Active Learning3.12
- Learning Strategies3.12
- Monitoring3.25
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 15 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, OH · Public | Optometry 51.1701 | $12,800 | 53% | 83% | 1 yr $101,327 2 yr $99,983 Professional · CIP 51.17 |
University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public | Optometry 51.1701 | $13,800 | 9% | 92% | 1 yr $96,775 2 yr $91,363 Professional · CIP 51.17 |
Houston Community College Houston, TX · Public | Optometry 51.1701 | $4,300 | 100% | 24% | 1 yr $95,954 2 yr $95,549 Professional · CIP 51.17 |
Normandale Community College Bloomington, MN · Public | Optometry 51.1701 | $6,100 | 100% | 32% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Bachelor's · CIP 51.17 |
Rochester Community and Technical College Rochester, MN · Public | Optometry 51.1701 | $6,200 | 100% | 33% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Ridgewater College Willmar, MN · Public | Optometry 51.1701 | $6,100 | 100% | 36% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Minnesota West Community and Technical College Granite Falls, MN · Public | Optometry 51.1701 | $6,000 | 100% | 37% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
North Hennepin Community College Brooklyn Park, MN · Public | Optometry 51.1701 | $5,900 | 100% | 31% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN · Public | Optometry 51.1701 | $13,400 | 68% | 73% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Anoka Technical College Anoka, MN · Public | Optometry 51.1701 | $6,300 | 100% | 48% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Lake Superior College Duluth, MN · Public | Optometry 51.1701 | $5,900 | 100% | 38% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |
Columbus State Community College Columbus, OH · Public | Optometry 51.1701 | $4,800 | 100% | 25% | 1 yr — 2 yr — Not reported |