Optometrist Duties & Responsibilities
The role and function of an Optometrist includes the following duties and responsibilities:
- Examining the eyes of patients of all ages to detect signs of injury, disease, abnormality or vision defects;
- Using specialist equipment for diagnosis and testing;
- Issuing prescriptions for spectacles or contact lenses;
- Liaising with other medical practitioners and sometimes sharing the care of patients with chronic ophthalmic conditions;
- Fitting and checking prescribed lenses in order to correct vision defects;
- Help and advice for patients choosing frames and lenses;
- Writing referral communications to doctors;
- Administering, organising and planning the development of the practice;
- Liaising with sales representatives from vision care product suppliers;
- Owning or managing a practice.
- Communicating with patients to get detailed case histories;
- Meeting sales targets with regard to selling spectacles or contact lenses;
- Undertaking continuing education and training (CET).
- Offering advice and reassurance about vision-related matters;
- Managing staff, including dispensing opticians and clerical staff;
- Supervising and training junior staff;
- Managing the retail aspects of spectacles, contact lenses and other vision care products;
- Checking for signs and symptoms of general health conditions (e.g. diabetes);
Note that this is not an exhaustive list of Optometrist duties and responsibilities. Job functions for specific Optometrist roles may vary, depending on the industry and type of employer.
