Optometrist Careers Profile

What is an optometrist?

Optometrists are primary health care professionals, previously known as ophthalmic opticians (often shortened to ‘opticians’). They are trained to examine the eyes to detect defects in vision, ocular diseases, abnormalities, signs of injury and problems with general health, for example high blood pressure and diabetes. They perform assessments on patients of all ages to check their ocular prescription and health, offer clinical advice, prescribe spectacles or contact lenses, manage conditions and refer patients onto other professionals, when necessary.

Optometrists are expected to have a high level of expertise on ocular anatomy, ocular diseases and maintain life-long up-to-date knowledge for best current practices.