The demand for optometrists in the US is increasing due to the aging population. Optometrists can work in various settings, including private practices, retail optical stores, hospitals, and clinics, as well as in research and consulting roles. Some optometrists work in groups, while others work independently.
The demand for qualified optometrists in the US is increasing due to the number of elderly baboomers who need corrective eyewear and medical treatment for geriatric eye problems. An optometrist is trained to diagnose and treat vision problems and eye diseases and can prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses and medications to treat conditions such as glaucoma. Optometrist jobs are varied and may work in a variety of settings, including private practices, retail optical stores, hospitals and clinics, and as researchers or consultants.
In the past, most optometrists worked alone in private or group practices. In private and group practices, the optometrist owns or leases a shop or office space and usually has a staff that oversees accounting, billing, and patient management. Optometrist jobs in a group practice often require specialized training so each physician may have a different area of expertise, such as pediatric optometry, sports and occupational vision, or eye disease testing. A group practice may also include an ophthalmologist who can perform surgery based on an optometrist’s diagnosis and recommendations.
Today, many optometrists work at large retail chains like LensCrafters. These optometrist jobs can be salaried positions, although some doctors work as independent physicians and rent office space to the corporation. While an optometrist in a retail establishment may be involved with general eye health, this type of work generally focuses on prescribing corrective eyeglasses and measuring and fitting contact lenses.
There are also many optometrist jobs in the public sector, such as military hospitals and clinics, public hospitals and clinics, and government health services. These doctors work alongside the other doctors at the clinic or have contracts as private consultants. Military hospitals and clinics can employ civilian officers and doctors, and many military optometrists have access to the latest technological equipment as well as a competitive benefits package.
Other optometrists work as researchers or consultants. Some researchers work in a corporate setting, conducting clinical trials on new corrective lenses and pharmaceuticals, while others, particularly those with years of experience or specialized training, may choose to work in academic research and teach future optometrists and ophthalmologists. Many optometrists with specialized training work as consultants. Some consultants work with companies and deal with vision problems related to sports or occupational hazards, while others may work in schools or clinics with children with learning disabilities or victims of strokes and head trauma.
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