Medical Careers : How to Become an Optometrist

Becoming an optometrist requires a bachelor's degree in a science discipline, four years at optometric school and an internship before taking the optometry licensing exam. Learn to become an optometrist with tips from a practice administrator in this free video on career information.

Expert: Mark MacBayne
Bio: Mark MacBayne, with a Master of Public Health degree, is a practice manager at the University of California San Francisco Medical Center.
Filmmaker: Bing Hu

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• careers
• doctors
• medical careers
• careers in medicine
• medical field careers

[WarrenAch]

@JustBlinkIt Thanks, but i changed my plans, with my grades being really competitive and the Medical sector getting rough for pretty much every Specialty except Family Medicine, i decided to pursue another field, such as Law/Business, much more rewarding in long term for me and i can avoid taking out loans, free rides FTW. lol

[JustBlinkIt]

@WarrenAch Thank goodness someone has some sense. Good luck with opthalmology!

[WarrenAch]

@AznGurl747 Are you dumb?Do you really think EVERYONE wants to become a Physician because of the salary?Physicians get paid a lot for one reason,they work a LOT more than 95% of the population.I know plenty of people who applied to med,got accepted but switched to another program such as Optometry/Veterinary medicine because they liked it a lot more.Tell your cousin to GTFO the medical path if he goes there for the money.

Jeez,people like you make me ashamed to be a Pre-Med Student.

[oddwiak]

check it out! i am not a pharmacist but know several. the obumba healthcare plan would have pharmacists making the same wage as the burger guy at mcdonalds.

[oddwiak]

your the typical OD DOPE! i have bben a OD for 20 years. it is a very stressful job dealing with idiots that compare private doc's to walmart daily! as far as money, i have a uncle that is a trash collector making more $ than me! optometry SUCKS! don't get into it!!!!

[WarrenAch]

...They don't just "count" pills,they give suggestions to customers regarding their health,pretty much the same as MDs,but they usually give the medications and advices to recover health,it's not boring at all,especially if you like helping people.

And for the paper work,you'll have to do it in every other health related jobs anyways,especially in private practices.

If you don't wanna do the boring part(counting pills etc.)hire a pharmacy assistant,they are cheap and effective.

[WarrenAch]

You're looking for a non-stressful job paying 100k+ year?Hard to find then.

Most jobs got their pros and cons.

MD:Too much time into work,good pay yes,no paid vacations,stressful as hell.

OD:Flexible time,can be high paying if you're good enough.

PharmD:Good pay,pretty much the same path as ODs...less stressful,long studies though.

DDS/DMD:Good salary,flexible time,as hard as MDs,if not harder,with all the practice exams...

Choose what you like,all these ones pay high anyways...

[WarrenAch]

They ARE physicians,they can use the Dr. title as well,go see your state's board website regulations and you'll see.

I'm not blaming you,optometry is a very good field,some really love it,they just don't care about the "amazing salary" and prestige of the M.D....(most MDs work overtime and don't have time to live a normal life anyways...)so yea..you won't starve as an opto,no need to freak out about it.

[SBha30]

Misinformation? What? I have nothing to gain or lose. I am clearly stating that if you want money and good work hours, don't go into optometry. Your definition of "Physician" is very different from mine and most Physicians. You state that Optometrists are physicians and are comparable to dentists/pharmacists. You clearly have no clue on what you are typing.

[WarrenAch]

Sorry but you are wrong in all of your statements,optometrists are not underpaid,the fact that you find it hard for optos doesn't mean it's the same for others.Also,O.D. holders ARE physicians as well,go see law and regulations of the U.S.

Misinforming people with inexact information won't get you anywhere.

Optometrists are comparable to dentists/pharmacists working conditions.

MD is a different field and shouldn't be compared with O.D.,unless for ophtalmologists.