Optometrists
(NOC 3121)
in All HealthOptometrists examine eyes and diagnose ocular diseases and disorders. They prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses and recommend treatments like exercises to correct vision problems or ocular disorders. They work in private practice, clinics, and community health centres. Optometrists may specialize in fitting visual aids for people who are partially blind, fitting contact lenses or correcting special vision problems.
Job Outlook
Undetermined
Read more
Compared to: All Health
Hourly Pay
N/A
MinimumN/A
MedianN/A
MaximumAnnual Pay
N/A
Minimum$64,009
MedianN/A
MaximumCompared to: All Health
Hourly Pay
$16.70
Minimum$26.60
Median$43.30
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,740
Minimum$43,853
Median$88,944
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Optometrists examine eyes and diagnose ocular diseases and disorders. They prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses and recommend treatments like exercises to correct vision problems or ocular disorders. They work in private practice, clinics, and community health centres. Optometrists may specialize in fitting visual aids for people who are partially blind, fitting contact lenses or correcting special vision problems.
Job duties
Optometrists:
- Examine patients' eyes, conduct tests and use specialized instruments to determine eye health and visual efficiency.
- Prescribe treatment (excluding surgery) to maintain, improve and correct vision and manage other eye disorders.
- Prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses.
- Educate and advise patients on contact lens use and care, ocular hygiene, preventive care, and maintenance, lighting arrangements, working distances and other safety factors.
- Refer patients to ophthalmologists or other physicians and surgeons for treatment of ocular or other diseases or conditions like cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
Sample job titles
- doctor of optometry (OD)
- optometrist
Skills
- This work demands good hand-eye coordination and an aptitude for precision and accuracy. You should be comfortable working with delicate instruments and apparatus. Patience, tact, and the ability to put people at ease are important. You should also have good communication and interpersonal skills. Since most optometrists run their own practices, some business skills would be helpful.
Job requirements
- Three years of university undergraduate studies in mathematics and sciences and a four-year university program in optometry are required.
- Licensing by the provincial or territorial regulatory governing body is required.
Other considerations
- Earnings depend upon the number of patients served and the services provided. Optometrists who are self-employed have considerable flexibility in their hours of work. Some may work on Saturdays or evenings to meet the needs of their patients.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Health
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
N/ANorth Shore
N/ASouthern
N/ACape Breton
N/AAnnapolis Valley
N/ACompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Health care and social assistance
What is the age of Employment?
35-44
25-34
45-54
55-64
65+
Compared to: All Health
25-34
45-54
35-44
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Optometry
$64,019 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
N/ADoctorate
N/ACompared to: All Health
College Diploma
$40,033 median annual incomeBachelor
$61,668 median annual incomeMedicine, Dentistry, Veterinary, Optometry
$81,191 median annual incomeHigh school
$24,829 median annual incomeMaster
$69,296 median annual incomeEducation & training
Optometry (OD)
University ProgramThese programs prepare students for the independent professional practice of optometry and that focuses on the principles and techniques for examining, diagnosing and treating conditions of the visual system. They include courses in prescribing glasses and contact lenses, other optical aids, corrective therapies, patient counselling, physician referral, practice management, and ethics and professional standards.
Employment requirements & contacts
Regulations
Right to Title and Practice: This job is regulated. The job title is protected, and you may not use it without a professional licence. A licence shows that the holder has met provincial requirements and is required to legally do this work.
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.