Optometrist
Career Description
Optometrists are health care professionals who diagnose and, in some cases, treat vision problems and eye disease. They prescribe corrective lenses and vision therapy and use drugs to treat some eye diseases.
Annual Salary
| Entry: $55,390 | Mean: $97,864 | Experienced: $119,101 |
| Source: Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, November 2004 | ||
Hourly Wage
| Entry: $26.63 | Mean: $47.05 | Experienced: $57.26 |
| Source: Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, November 2004 | ||
Academic Requirements
To become an optometrist, students must attend at least three years at an accredited college or university, where most students obtain a bachelor's degree. This is followed by a four-year doctor of optometry program.
Schools
There are 19 accredited schools and colleges of optometry in the U.S. and Canada, including the University of Missouri-St. Louis. To learn more, visit the American Optometric Association.
University of Missouri-St. Louis
314/516-6263
Pre-Optometry Program
Missouri Southern State University (Joplin)
866/818-MSSU
Professional Associations
National
American Academy of Optometry
American Optometric Association
National Optometric Association
State
Missouri Optometric Association
Missouri State Board of Optometry
