HealthcareISCO 2267
Optometrist
Optometrists examine and test eyes to identify abnormalities, visual problems, or disease. They prescribe and fit lenses such as spectacles and contacts, and offer advice on visual problems. They may also refer patients to a medical practitioner. Their scope of practice and title varies according to national regulations.
Check yourself in a minute: optometrist
Rate 5 of the 43 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
respond to changing situations in health care
educate on the prevention of illness
inform policy makers on health-related challenges
implement marketing strategies
empathise with the healthcare user
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (43)
optical glass characteristicsoptical glass characteristicsThe characteristics of optical glass such as refractive index, dispersion, and chemical properties.eye protection regulationseye protection regulationsEye protection regulations and relevant standards in relation to occupational visual requirements.refraction of the eyerefraction of the eyeThe way to perform clinical tests by using a phoropter to identify the eye's refractive error.optical instrumentsoptical instrumentsThe characteristics and usage of optical instruments such as lens-meter, to determine refractive power of lenses such as glasses.respond to changing situations in health carerespond to changing situations in health careCope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.educate on the prevention of illnesseducate on the prevention of illnessOffer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and healt...inform policy makers on health-related challengesinform policy makers on health-related challengesProvide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.implement marketing strategiesimplement marketing strategiesImplement strategies which aim to promote a specific product or service, using the developed marketing strategies.empathise with the healthcare userempathise with the healthcare userUnderstand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence...test visual acuitytest visual acuityTest patients` visual acuity, perception of depth colour, and ability to focus and coordinate the eyes.determine eye disease progressiondetermine eye disease progressionDetermine the effects and progression of eye disease by applying specialised diagnostic and imaging techniques, such as ultrasonography and topography.manage staffmanage staffManage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the wor...diagnose problems of the visual systemdiagnose problems of the visual systemIdentify and diagnose problems of the visual system, such as those related to binocular vision, ocular motility, amblyopia or lazy eye, strabismus or squint, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, assessing ...fit contact lensesfit contact lensesMeasure the curvature of the cornea or front surface of the eye to assure that the fitting curve of the lens properly fits the curvature of the anterior surface of the eye.manage healthcare users' datamanage healthcare users' dataKeep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, wr...deal with emergency care situationsdeal with emergency care situationsAssess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.apply numeracy skillsapply numeracy skillsPractise reasoning and apply simple or complex numerical concepts and calculations.perform ocular tonometryperform ocular tonometryPerform ocular tonometry as a test to determine the intraocular pressure inside the eye of patients at risk from glaucoma.communicate in healthcarecommunicate in healthcareCommunicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.record healthcare users' billing informationrecord healthcare users' billing informationRecord the healthcare user`s information for the billing of provided medical services.perform comprehensive eye examinationsperform comprehensive eye examinationsUndertake comprehensive eye examinations to determine prescription needs or diagnose disease or abnormalities. Some of the methods for this are cover tests, color blindness tests, and pupil dilation.advise on healthcare users' informed consentadvise on healthcare users' informed consentEnsure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.promote ocular healthpromote ocular healthParticipate in activities that contribute to promoting ocular health and preventing ocular problems.advise customers on optical instruments maintenanceadvise customers on optical instruments maintenanceProvide customers with advice on the correct use and maintenance of other optical instruments such as binoculars, sextants, night vision, etc.comply with quality standards related to healthcare practicecomply with quality standards related to healthcare practiceApply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associati...comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...advise patients on vision improvement conditionsadvise patients on vision improvement conditionsAdvise patients with low vision on strategies to enhance their sight, such as use of magnification and lighting equipment.adhere to organisational guidelinesadhere to organisational guidelinesAdhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.prescribe corrective lensesprescribe corrective lensesPrescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, according to measurements and tests conducted.work in a multicultural environment in health carework in a multicultural environment in health careInteract, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.promote inclusionpromote inclusionPromote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive envi...process paymentsprocess paymentsAccept payments such as cash, credit cards and debit cards. Handle reimbursement in case of returns or administer vouchers and marketing instruments such as bonus cards or membership cards. Pay attent...interact with healthcare usersinteract with healthcare usersCommunicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.ensure safety of healthcare usersensure safety of healthcare usersMake sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing condit...have computer literacyhave computer literacyUtilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.apply organisational techniquesapply organisational techniquesEmploy a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and s...advise on contact lense maintenanceadvise on contact lense maintenanceAdvise patients on how to clean and wear contact lenses to maximise lifespan and minimise risk of complications.apply context specific clinical competencesapply context specific clinical competencesApply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within ...refer healthcare usersrefer healthcare usersMake referrals to other professionals, based on the healthcare user's requirements and needs, especially when recognising that additional healthcare diagnostics or interventions are required.work in multidisciplinary health teamswork in multidisciplinary health teamsParticipate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.accept own accountabilityaccept own accountabilityAccept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.provide therapy of the visual systemprovide therapy of the visual systemApply suitable orthoptic, pleoptic and optic treatment methods, using equipment such as lenses (`training glasses`), prisms, filters, patches, electronic targets, or balance boards, and suggest and im...
Optional (13) — show
preventive medicinepreventive medicineThe measures taken for disease prevention in a specific area or a group of people.use e-health and mobile health technologiesuse e-health and mobile health technologiesUse mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.record healthcare users' progress related to treatmentrecord healthcare users' progress related to treatmentRecord the healthcare user's progress in response to treatment by observing, listening and measuring outcomes.provide health educationprovide health educationProvide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.perform vision rehabilitationperform vision rehabilitationMaximise the remaining sight in people with low vision using rehabilitation strategies and magnification aids.implement sales strategiesimplement sales strategiesCarry out the plan to gain competitive advantage on the market by positioning the company's brand or product and by targeting the right audience to sell this brand or product to.participate in medical inventory controlparticipate in medical inventory controlMonitor the condition of a medical inventory. Ensure the materials are stored safely. Re-order supplies when needed.provide domiciliary eyecareprovide domiciliary eyecareProvide in-home eyecare for patients.provide treatment strategies for challenges to human healthprovide treatment strategies for challenges to human healthIdentify possible treatment protocols for the challenges to human health within a given community in cases such as infectious diseases of high consequences at the global level.use foreign languages for health-related researchuse foreign languages for health-related researchUse foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.develop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipdevelop a collaborative therapeutic relationshipDevelop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.use foreign languages in patient careuse foreign languages in patient careCommunicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.administer medication for vision problemsadminister medication for vision problemsAdminister medication to patients to aid in the diagnosis of vision problems and prescribe drugs to treat some eye diseases.
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Frequently asked questions
What does an optometrist do?
Optometrists examine and test eyes to identify abnormalities, visual problems, or disease. They prescribe and fit lenses such as spectacles and contacts, and offer advice on visual problems. They may also refer patients to a medical practitioner. Their scope of practice and title varies according to national regulations.
What skills does an optometrist need?
An optometrist needs 43 essential skills, including optical glass characteristics, eye protection regulations, refraction of the eye, optical instruments, respond to changing situations in health care.
Will AI replace optometrist jobs?
The AI disruption score for optometrist is 24/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: manage healthcare users' data, record healthcare users' billing information, process payments. Most resilient: empathise with the healthcare user, deal with emergency care situations, develop a collaborative therapeutic relationship.
AI Replacement Risk
24/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
Is optometrist right for you?
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