The document summarizes the career path and responsibilities of an optometrist. It outlines the education requirements including a 4-year college degree with science courses, passing the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), and obtaining a 4-year optometry degree from an accredited graduate school. Optometrists can work in private practice, earn an average salary of $84,000-$150,000 per year, and are licensed healthcare professionals who can diagnose eye diseases and prescribe medications and corrective lenses. The field is expected to grow 11% by 2016 due to an aging population and increased awareness of vision care.

1. The Rewarding Career of Optometry Presented to You and Created By: Julia Davis & Ashley Hudnall

2. Attend a 4 year college (taking a ton of Science) Take & Pass the OAT Choose a Grad School when You Pass Attend the accredited school for 4 years Receive your O.D. Acquiring Licensure

3. Science classes you would encounter: Organic Chemistry General Physics (with labs) General Biology (with labs) General Chemistry Biochemistry Microbiology Neuro-Optometry And there is much more to come. Overwhelmed yet?

4. The OAT is about five hours long consisting of: Biology, General Chemistry, Reading Comprehension, Physics and Quantitative Reasoning. There are only 17 schools of optometry in the U.S. The Southern College of Optometry, in Memphis, is the closest school to Arkansas (shown below).

5. Self-employed averaged $150,000 per year Employed at an established practice averaged between $84,000-$150,000 per year Results may vary Hard Work= Vast Weath? ...I Would Say So!

6. Optometrist are educated on much more than just the eye Optometric studies are strenuous and require complete devotion The eye can identify other health problems (precisely why Optometrists must know much about the body) Optometry Admission is EXTREMELY competitive! There is More Than Meets the Eye Digital retinal imaging, picture of the interior of an eyeball!

7. Clean, well-lighted, and comfortable office Work approximately 40 hours a week Many work on call. How and Where They Work

8. Optometrists Can prescribe medications (they are Doctors) May Work in solo practice or with a partner Other Perks

9. With aging comes more doctor visits A higher frequency of diabetes and hypertension will demand more jobs, because these ailments usually affect the eyesight. Job Outlook Projected to grow 11% between 2006 and 2016, due to vision care importance awareness With increasing eye care there should be an increasing need for health insurance policies

10. Job opportunities should be very good as result of retiring and renouncing Optometrists There is a limited number of students who can receive an O.D. Job Prospects

11. People skills Professionalism Business skills Hard work and passion Communication skills What you Need

12. Laser surgery may partially reduce the need for Optometrists Optometrists will be needed to provide pre and post-operative care for patients. Patient Care

13. Optometrists identify the patients’ needs and problems They always try to steer clear of surgery Do NOT confuse with Ophthalmologists Optometrists diagnose and prescribe, they do not operate on the eye. More Facts

14. Optometrist Ophthalmologist

15. Remeber How Important and Hard-Working Optometrists are, because...

16. The Eye Is a Terrible Thing to Waste

17. Julia Davis Ashley Hudnall James Hertzog Doctor of Optometry People Who Contributed

18. Julia Davis (information stored in brain from previous knowledge) Ashley Hudnall James Hertzog Doctor of Optometry Mrs. Terry Assigned Project http://graphics.cs.ucdavis.edu/~lefohn/work/eye/ www.huntingtonfamilyoptometry.com www.eyecarevouchers.co.uk www.city.acu.uk www.smartbuyglasses.com www.impactlab.com www.bls.gov Flicker.com Photobucket.com www.hiptocod.files.wordpress.com www.ehealthzine.com www.weatherus.net www.optometryintruments.com http://www.adventuresinstockphotography.com/images/shakes.jpg www.iboro.ac.uk www.appletoneyecare.com Dr-william-boothe.org www.stateuniversity.com http://www.quadrille.biz/images/ch_image.jpg Due Friday March 6, 2009 Career Research Project for Physics Thank you for you time