1.WHAT IS AN OPTOMETRIST?Optometrists are primarycare physiciansfor the eyes.

2. OK, SO WHAT DO THEY REALLY DO?Perform eye exams to check for vision problems and diseases including checking the glasses prescription and fitting contact lensesPrescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses as neededDiagnose and manage eye diseasesCounsel patients regarding surgical and non-surgical options to meet their visual needsProvide both pre-operative and post-operative consultation and careDiagnose systemic conditions that have eye-related symptomsMinor surgeries (such as foreign body in eye) 3. HOW TO BECOME AN OPTOMETRIST GraduateTestingUndergraduate4 years with4 years of Boarda major graduateExamsgenerally inschooling.1) Nationalan area ofFirst 2 written examscienceyears areon generalclassroomsciences based, rest2) Nationalof schoolingpractical is externship exam whereperforming students see an eye exam patients 3) Exam forstate licensing 4. SALARY AND JOB OUTLOOK Expected to grow 33% from 2010 to 2020, creating 11,300 new jobs over the 10-year period. The number of people with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, has increased inrecent years. These diseases frequently cause vision problems and requiretreatment from optometrists. Increasing number of insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, provide some vision or eye-care insurance coverage.Top 10%Salary as ofMay 2010Median Bottom 10% $0$50,000 $100,000 $150,000 $200,000 5. WHERE DO OPTOMETRISTS WORK?RetailOffices, Hospitals, Outpatient Private Practice Group PracticeCtrs 6. WELCOME TO EYE ASSOCIATES OF LANCASTER 7. INSIDE A GROUP PRACTICE OFFICE EYEASSOCIATES OFLANCASTER DR. MELISSA WALKER 8. WHY DID YOU BECOME AN OPTOMETRIST?In her own words 9. OPTOMETRIST VS. OPHTHALMOLOGIST VS. OPTICIAN 10. THE EYES HAVE ITOcular health is closely linked to systemic health. Whenchecking the eyes, optometrists are also looking forsigns of other systemicdiseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, thyroiddisease and many others. 11. DID YOU KNOWOptometrists wear white jackets to keep thebacteria they encounter during the day off oftheir clothes, just as other medical personnelwears scrubs.There is no legal reason why an optometrist cantdo an exam on his/herself, but physically he/shemay not be able to perform this duty. 12. WORKS CITED"Advancing and Promoting Optometric Education." Home - Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, n.d. Web. 2 Feb. 2013."American Academy of Ophthalmology ." American Academy of Ophthalmology . American Academy of Ophthalmology , n.d. Web. 2 Feb. 2013."American Academy of Optometry - AAO Homepage." American Academy of Optometry - AAO Homepage. American Academy of Optometry, n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2013."American Optometric Association - Serving Doctors of Optometry & Their Patients." American Optometric Association. American Optometric Association, n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2013."BibMe: Fast & Easy Bibliography Maker - MLA, APA, Chicago, Turabian - Free." BibMe:Fast & Easy Bibliography Maker - MLA, APA, Chicago, Turabian - Free. N.p., n.d.Web. 24 Feb. 2013."Eye Associates of Lancaster PA: Optometrists Ophthalmologists Eye Doctors." Eye Associates of Lancaster PA: Optometrists Ophthalmologists Eye Doctors. Eye Associates of Lancaster, n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2013."Optometrist." explorehealthcareers.org. Institute for Oral Health, n.d. Web. 1 Feb. 2013."Optometrists : Occupational Outlook Handbook : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics."U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Department of Labor, n.d. Web. 2 Feb. 2013.Walker, Dr. Melissa. Personal interview. 31 Jan. 2013.