Optometrist
Optometrists test vision, identify eye health problems, prescribe glasses and fit contact lenses.
Typical Salary
£37,000 – £61,000
per year
Working Hours
37–40
hours per week
Day-to-day tasks
As an optometrist you could:
- use precision instruments and vision measuring and testing tools
- diagnose and give advice
- prescribe, fit and supply glasses or contact lenses
- discuss the suitability and shape of glasses frames
- refer clients to specialists or ophthalmologists (eye surgeons)
Skills needed
- knowledge of medicine and dentistry
- customer service skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- thinking and reasoning skills
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of biology
- sensitivity and understanding
- analytical thinking skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to get into this role
You can get into this job through a university course or by working towards this role.
Career progression
With experience you could:
- specialise in an area like contact lenses, sports vision, low vision or working with children
- study for a postgraduate master's degree in optometry
- train further in prescribing drugs for certain eye problems or working with specific conditions like diabetes or glaucoma