How To Navigate Optometrist Education and Career Paths

Are you interested in becoming an optometrist? Understanding optometrist education is the first step toward deciding whether this healthcare career is right for you. Optometrists play a critical role in diagnosing and treating vision problems, but this career requires meeting specific optometrist education requirements. 

Reviewing the steps involved in optometrist education can help determine whether this career path is right for you.

Understanding the Educational Path to Becoming an Optometrist

The path to optometric education usually requires two levels of schooling — an undergraduate degree and a doctorate — along with an admission exam that tests your preparedness for optometry school.

Obtaining Your Bachelor’s Degree

The first step in optometrist education is typically completing a bachelor’s degree. Some schools offer specialized pre-optometry degree paths, allowing you to take coursework in optometry as an undergraduate. Otherwise, you can pursue a bachelor’s degree in a related natural sciences field, such as biology, organic chemistry, or physics.

Maintaining a high average GPA is critical in boosting your chances of admission into optometry school. Many schools require a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0, while the most successful applicants have a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Passing the Optometry Admission Test (OAT)

Near the end of your undergraduate education, you will begin applying to optometry schools. The OAT gauges your comfort level with the types of material taught in optometry schools. Scoring well on this exam helps optometry applicants stand out.

You should only attend an accredited optometry school to ensure that the optometry program supports licensure in every state across the U.S.

Completing the Doctor of Optometry (OD) Program

The Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree program requires four additional years of schooling. This type of program combines classroom and clinical training, covering core topics like:

• Understanding the visual system
• Diagnosing ocular disease
• Conducting vision tests
• Prescribing corrective lenses, including glasses and contact lenses
• Treating vision problems through vision aids, vision care, or low-vision rehabilitation

Some states allow optometrists to perform eye surgery, such as LASIK, while others limit these clinical skills to ophthalmologists.

Many aspiring optometrists complete an optional residency after finishing their degree programs.

Licensing and Certification Requirements for Optometrists

Completing the required optometrist education is just one step in the process of becoming an optometrist. Perhaps the most challenging step is passing the boards and obtaining a license.

National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO)

After completing optometry school, students must pass the three-part national board exam. This comprehensive examination is required to practice optometry in the U.S.

• Part I covers applied basic science
• Part II covers patient assessment and management
• Part III covers patient encounters and performance skills

Adequately preparing for the NBEO is crucial to becoming a practicing optometrist. Prospective optometrists typically spend at least three to four months studying for approximately four hours per day.

If you fail the NBEO on your first attempt, you can retake it up to six times.

State Licensing

Each state has its own licensing process to become an optometrist. Your state may require additional exams or certifications to become licensed in your region. Some states, such as North Carolina, have notoriously rigorous licensing processes. Strongly consider what state you want to practice in long-term before beginning the licensing process.

Continuing Education Courses

You will need to complete optometry continuing education courses to maintain your optometry license and stay up to date with advancements in eye care. The requirements vary by state, but typically require optometrists to complete anywhere from 30 to 50 CE hours every two years.

Career Path Options for Optometrists

While becoming an optometrist narrows your potential career paths within the field of optometry, you still have many options regarding the type of clinical setting you work in and the variety of patients you see daily.

Private Practice Ownership

Many optometrists take an entrepreneurial approach by opening private practices. This lucrative career path allows optometrists to retain complete control over their schedules and patient loads, but it also involves additional responsibilities in managing a business.

This route is less common directly after completing optometry school. Instead, many optometrists spend a few years working for a group practice to gain more clinical experience before eventually moving on to a private practice.

Group Practice or Employment

Optometrists often start their careers in group practices or within larger healthcare organizations. This is an ideal route for healthcare professionals who do not want the entrepreneurial burden of starting their own business but want to use the skills they learned in medical school.

Specialization

Once they complete their general optometry program, optometrists can specialize in certain areas of the field, such as:

• Pediatric optometry
• Geriatric optometry
• Vision therapy

Tips for Success on the Optometrist Career Path

Completing the necessary optometry programs is just one part of becoming a successful optometrist. Early-career optometrists can take several other measures to excel in their education and careers.

Networking and Mentorship

Building relationships with optometrists and those in other health professions can help further an optometrist’s career. You can attend ophthalmology conferences, join professional organizations like the American Optometric Association, and complete internships.

Building Clinical and Business Skills

Today’s optometrists must be business savvy to succeed, even if they do not open their own practices. Gaining experience in patient care and knowledge of business management can help you provide the best patient experience while keeping your organization’s bottom line in mind.

Staying Current With Industry Trends

You should also stay current with emerging technologies and new trends in ocular health. For example, you should follow eyeglass trends to recommend the best frames to patients. You should also stay informed about developments like permanent contact lenses and robot-assisted eye exams.

Learn How Weave Helps Optometrists Grow Their Practices

Now that you know how to become an optometrist, it’s time to start the optometrist education process.

Weave can support optometrists in managing and growing their practices by simplifying communication and patient management tasks. Ready to enhance your optometry practice and streamline operations? Get a demo of Weave today to see how we can help you succeed!

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