Job Description
Optometrists perform examinations on the eye and the entire visual system. This career involves diagnosing and treating visual problems and managing other injuries that may cause disorder of the eye. They also prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses needed to help in solving problem of visual impairments (Baker, 2017)
One of the duties performed by optometrists is to test the vision and analyze the results. The test gives the healthcare provider a general idea about the visual capacity of a client or patient. Optometrists are vision care specialists who seek to test results and make decisions on diagnosis, prescription or medical treatment (Corzine, 2005).
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Optometrists diagnose sight problems such as farsightedness, nearsightedness and eye diseases. They use tests results along with other eye focusing and teaming to determine the patient’s ability to see objects clearly at a near or far distance (Corzine, 2005). Optometrists also perform contact lenses and eyeglass prescription where the law states. The prescription roles may also include medication and visual aids. However, these roles are guided by different state laws and constitutional provisions (Corzine, 2005).
Optometrists are equipped with surgical skills and to conduct surgery on the eye. While certain visual issues can be sorted using glasses and lenses, others may require minor surgery (Corzine, 2005). They can also operate on the eye when affected by health issues other than visual cases. Besides offering surgical services, they can prepare a patient for eye surgery through preoperative care. They offer postoperative care such as examining the patient’s eye after successful surgery.
The eye needs therapy, referred to as vision training to improve eye movement, coordination and control. The optometrists perform vision training and rehabilitation through procedures carried out in a home and office setting (Corzine, 2005). However, this role cannot also be performed by an orthoptist.
Optometric career also demands that one become familiar with other diseases conditions such as hypertension, diabetes (Baker, 2017). The conditions can affect the normal activity of the eye hence should evaluate them and refer a patient to a needed health provider.
Optometrists also offer counselling sessions to patients to promote their general health and eye care. It involves special care and advice on the best treatment options and development. Patients need information on how general health affect one’s eyesight (Baker, 2017). For instance, quitting smoking habits and weight loss reduces vision problems.
When practicing Optometry, a member’s license is subject to the limitations imposed in his for her certificate to do assessment, treatment and diagnosis of the eye and vision system. The scope of Optometry is limited to treatment of disorder diffraction, sensory accumulators disorder and prescription of diseases (Elliott, 2008).
Code of Ethics
Optometrists swear an oath to respect the rights, dignity and autonomy of their patent. The responsibility to the patient also includes avoiding discrimination, understanding the cultural perspective and respecting the confidentiality of the patient. Health profession demands that practitioners exercise the duty of care when dealing with a patient. All the patients that visit an optometrist are important regardless of the case presented (Corzine, 2005).
The professional responsibility of optometrists is observing a respectful and unselfish relationship with a member of the health professions. It requires coordination with other doctors, surgeons and nurses when undertaking health-related duties. An optometrist also depends on the information from a fellow optometrist in cases where a patient has transferred from one hospital to another (Corzine, 2005). The principles of integrity and conscience also govern the practitioner in this profession.
When conducting business, rewarding efforts should not be biased to the extent of making decisions that are not in the interest of the patient (Trevino et al. 2016). Majority of the optometrists have their private practice. The values of truth and respect must be held in the business practice.
Education Registration/Certification
The educational requirement for an optometrist includes a 4-year bachelor’s program in any relevant filed such as physiology, chemistry and biology. However, biology would be the best option because it deals with human anatomy which is a critical area in Optometrists. The bachelor’s degree helps one to apply for optometry programs. The program takes four years after which one must meet the state’s licensing requirements (Baker, 2017).
There are currently approximately 20 higher learning institutions offering bachelor’s degree in optometry in the United States of America. They include University of Alabama School of Optometry and Indiana School of Optometry (Bentley et al. 2016).
The cost of learning this career is high hence it required a high level of financial preparedness. The Alabama School of Optometry offers optometry program at the cost of $8,792 for residents and $18,004 for nonresidents per term. Indiana School of Optometry offers the program at a fee of $27980 for residents and $40516 for none residents per term (Baker, 2017).
A Practitioner who hold this level of certification qualify for licensing that can be revoked and is subject to renewal. The American Board of Certification in Medical Optometry is in charge of certification of licensed US Doctors of Optometry degree holders.
Employment
The employment of Optometrists has grown by 24% between 2008 and 2017 (Baker, 2017). The population who recognize eye care have increased creating a demand for optometrists. The increasing health insurance plans for vision care has also increased the opportunities for optometry employment.
Competition for the optometrists is high causing students to get work experience during the weekend or university holidays. However, one-year experience under a licensed optometrist is an added advantage in the job market. The major experience required for employment is mid-senior level.
According to the United States survey conducted by Indeed, Optometrists entry salary is $42, 000 per year. The salary can increase to $54, 000 per year for fulltime position. However, part-timers have a salary of 40% less the full-time position of average Americans. States such as Washington and Louisiana pay up to an average of $146, 000 per year (Baker, 2017).
The advanced opportunities for professional development are not possible. However, optometrists are required to take education and training for continued registration and licensing continually. The members must keep up to date with the new skills that are needed to practice safely.
Professional Activities
The American Optometric Association is a body of more than 44, 000 doctors of Optometry, optometric professionals and students. The membership fee for this professional body is $25 per month (Jones, 2014). The current members pay dues at the county level since it has members from different states in America.
The Journal of Optometry is the professional peer-reviewed publication for Optometrists. Others include Page Press Journal and PubMed which provide information on disease and impairments that affect the normal body function. Open Access journal also makes genuine and reliable contributions to Optometry and does not restrict access to published content. However, The Journal of Optometry, Press Journal and PubMed prices their articles at $10 and above (Jones, 2014).
Additional credits in Optometry allows practitioners to stay current. Certified optometrists must obtain hours of credit for continuing educational units. The quickest and fastest way to obtain CE is through online courses. The websites that offer these courses are eyeLearn, KMK and Octocase.
Reflection/personal Plan
I believe that I fit in this profession because of the knowledge I have acquired and the skills I have in health science. I have good scores in major subjects in this profession such as biology. I understand the concept of duty of care, which is a requirement for medical practitioners (Elliott, 2008). I promote a high and advanced standard of professional competence and will be willing to take continuing educational units to remain committed in the job market.
I plan to invest my time and energy in studying medicine and graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Biology. I intend to do my practice during the university holidays with non-governmental organizations that offer free help to the communities. I also want to join the four-year Optometry program in a private University. I already have a known a registered optometrist that will supervise my work after the four-year program. I intend to research and combine it with practice during my study hours to know more about the changing scope of optometry. I plan to attend conferences and public lectures that add my knowledge of administration, communication, discipline and interpersonal skills to help me work in a health organization. I also plan to contribute to the literature on Optometry by researching the technologies used by Optometrists.
References
Baker, T. (2017). Management Myth# 1—Job Specification Improves Performance. In Performance Management for Agile Organizations (pp. 59-72). Springer International Publishing.
Corzine, J. (2005). Dictionary of Optometry and Visual Science.
Elliott, D. B. (2008). Clinical Procedures in Primary Eye Care. Clinical and Experimental Optometry , 91 .
Bentley, S. A., Cartledge, A., Guest, D. J., Cappuccio, S., & Woods, C. A. (2016). Practitioner perspectives on extended clinical placement programs in optometry. Clinical and Experimental Optometry , 99 (3), 248-257.
Trevino, R., Majcher, C., Rabin, J., Kent, T., Maki, Y., & Wingert, T. (2016). The Effectiveness of an Educational Game for Teaching Optometry Students Basic and Applied Science. PloS one , 11 (5), e0156389.
Jones III, C. H. (2014). Accreditation in Independent Schools: Perceptions of the Goals and Outcomes Associated with the Process (Doctoral dissertation, University of Virginia).
