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Patient care

Optometrist

Examines eyes and vision, prescribes glasses and contact lenses, and spots early signs of eye disease and wider health problems.

Optometrists work on the high street, in hospital eye clinics and in community practices, testing sight and checking the health of the eye. It suits someone who likes precise, hands-on clinical work and a steady flow of patients of every age.

Also called Ophthalmic optician, Doctor of optometry or Therapeutic optometrist.

At a glance

Way in
Professional degree and licence, often in optometry
Pay in the US
$136,570 a year, the medianFor optometrists, 2025
Pay in the UK
£40,000 starting to £65,000 with experience
US outlook
Much faster than average, 2025-2035
Suits you if
You enjoy precise clinical work, optics and meeting many patients each day.

Pay is a guide: it moves with the country, the employer, the sector and the years in the job. Figures from O*NET OnLine (US) and the National Careers Service (UK); see the sources below.

The work

What does an optometrist do?

  • Test sight and measure how the eye focuses to work out the right prescription
  • Examine the back of the eye for signs of glaucoma, cataract and diabetic eye disease
  • Prescribe glasses and contact lenses, and fit aids for people with poor sight
  • Refer patients to an ophthalmologist or GP when something needs further care
  • Explain results and give practical advice on looking after eyesight

Where they work

  • High street optical practices
  • Hospital eye departments
  • Community eye clinics
  • University teaching and research

Skills

The skills an optometrist needs

  • Eye anatomy and opticshow light, lenses and the eye work together
  • Clinical examinationslit lamps, retinal imaging and eye pressure tests
  • Attention to detailcatching small changes between visits
  • Clear communicationputting nervous patients and children at ease
  • Clinical judgementknowing when a finding needs urgent referral

Route in

How to become an optometrist

  1. Take at least one science at A level, or equivalent, with good GCSEs in maths and English
  2. Complete an approved optometry degree, which in the UK is now usually a master's
  3. Spend a supervised year in practice and pass the final professional assessment
  4. Register with the national regulator and keep up continuing education

Degrees people take

  • Optometry

In the UK, optometrists register with the General Optical Council; in the US, they complete a Doctor of Optometry degree and hold a state licence.

Practise for it

The quizzes and tools that fit

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Sources

Where the facts come from

Written for biofideX from these public sources. The pay figures are theirs, copied as published, last read 2026-10-25.

Requirements differ by country and change over time; check with the body that registers the profession where you will work. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we'll correct it.

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