What Kind Of Education Is Required To Be An Optometrist?

Becoming an optometrist will require a student to first complete a

bachelor’s degree and pass an optometry program admission test

. The successful applicant will then complete a four year Doctor of Optometry degree program to prepare them for licensure and a career in diagnosing and treating vision problems.

How many years does it take to become an optometrist?

The path to becoming an optometrist is not as long as an ophthalmologist’s, but it still takes a

minimum of seven to eight years

to complete. Usually, a student must have completed their bachelor’s degree (although some schools accept three years of college) before applying to a four-year optometry program.

Do optometrists go to med school?

“

Optometrists go to optometry school for four years and often do an extra year of residency

,” Dr. … “Ophthalmologists go to medical school for four years, followed by four years of residency.” He adds that ophthalmologists often do a one- or two-year fellowship to specialize.

Is it hard to become an optometrist?

The Challenges of the Optometry Program

As Dr. McDevitt puts it, “

Optometry school can be very intensive

—it covers lots of disciplines from physics to biology to psychology. It’s certainly hard work and stressful at times, but very rewarding to be learning about such an interesting field. ‘Eye stuff’ is not just eyes.

Do optometrists make good money?

10 States Where Optometrists Earn the Most Money

The national

average annual wage

of an optometrist is $119,980, according to the BLS, well above the e average annual salary for all occupations, $51,960. … In the best-paying state for optometrists, the average salary is $55,110 more than the national average.

Is optometry school easier than medical school?

But

optometry school is not easy

, it’s just more focused on the eyes and the parts of the body that relates to the eyes. Medical school is a lot more information since they deal with the whole body.

Is optometry a dying field?

But

optometry isn’t dying

. Indeed, the need for optometrists is going to be greater than ever in the coming decade. Our current population of 315 million will swell to almost 350 million by 2025. More important, the percentage of our population age 65 or older will increase by 50%, from 12% to 18%.

What is the easiest optometry school to get into?

1. University of Alabama At Birmingham School of Optometry. …
2. University of Houston College of Optometry. …
3. Michigan College of Optometry. …
4. Oklahoma College of Optometry. …
5. Indiana University School of Optometry.

Is optometry a good career?

Optometry is rewarding and

provides excellent career opportunities for growth

. In addition, most Doctors of Optometry have high job satisfaction and excellent quality of life. In terms of income, you won’t fall short either!

Is it worth it to be an optometrist in 2020?

Optometry can certainly be a rewarding career as it helps people improve their

eyesight

and maintain eye health. And along with this eye care career an OD can earn a nice living. … Even though incomes have leveled off, the cost of optometry school continues to rise.

Does optometry require a lot of math?

If you are interested in a career working in a growing field, consider becoming an optometrist. While the job pays very well,

it does require a strong grasp of advanced mathematics

.

Is optometry a boring career?

Optometry does have a repetitive nature that can lead to boredom

. And we know that boredom is the opposite of happiness. One strategy is to focus on what is different. The tests maybe the same, but the person who you are helping is unique.

Is an optometrist a real doctor?

An

optometrist is not a medical doctor

. They receive a doctor of optometry (OD) degree after completing four years of optometry school, preceded by at least three years of college. … An ophthalmologist is a medical doctor who specializes in eye and vision care.

Are Optometrists in demand?

Job Outlook

Employment of optometrists is projected to grow 4 percent from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Because vision problems tend to occur more frequently later in life,

an aging population will lead to demand

for more optometrists.

Where do optometrists get paid the most?

The states and districts that pay Optometrists the highest mean salary are

North Dakota ($174,290)

, Vermont ($145,150), West Virginia ($143,760), Alaska ($143,540), and Iowa ($140,450).

Is optometry school cheaper than medical school?

Medical is most expensive, Optometry cheapest

.