Optometry is a potentially lucrative field. In the United States, it generally requires around eight years to become an optometrist. The time may be well worth it, however, as optometrists can expect to make around $100,000 a year, on average.

Undergraduate Education for Optometry

The first step in becoming an optometrist is to obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited undergraduate institution. The time required for this stage can vary. Some are able to obtain a bachelor’s degree in three to five years, although four years is the expected time of completion. It can take longer than 4 years, but generally this occurs when double-majoring, poor planning, or switching majors.

Applying to Optometry School

After receiving a bachelor’s degree, you must then take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). This standardized test is required by all optometry schools in the United States. It covers the natural sciences, reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, and physics. Your scores will help determine how competitive your application to optometry school will be. Applying to these schools is very competitive, and around 65% of applicants are not accepted. There are only 20 optometry schools in the U.S. and Puerto Rico that are approved by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE).

Completing Optometry School

If you are accepted to optometry school, you can expect to spend about 4 years studying. The course of study involves classroom courses along with practical applications of optometry. After completion of these 4 years you will obtain a Doctor of Optometry degree. You will not yet be ready to practice, though. All optometrists must take the National Board of Optometry exam and any necessary state licensing exams to be licensed to practice.

If well-planned and executed the entire training period for an optometrist can be around 8 years. This is assuming one can pass the required exams on the first attempt. Eight years may seem like a long period of preparation to some, but there are significant advantages that come with a career in optometry. One is the salary. The median income of optometrists in 1998 was $96,320. The outlook for job opportunities for optometrists is also very good. Due to the low number of applicants that are accepted to optometry school (and the limited number of schools), there is a perpetual demand for optometrists in the United States. It is expected that around 8,000 new positions will be created between 2008 and 2018. Having an optometry degree also provides one with an opportunity to start his or her own practice and be self-employed.

Challenges as an Optometrist

As long as you enjoy the work, the only downside to optometry is the investment of time and money required to earn a degree. Costs for optometry school are similar to that required for an undergraduate degree, but essentially this doubles the cost associated with your education (undergraduate degree + optometry degree). This investment may well be worth it due to the salary involved with practicing optometry. The course work and testing requirements are also rigorous, but again these hardships will pay dividends in a profitable and secure job for the future.