Clinical Careers

Opticianry

Opticians are the professionals who help dispense and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses. Opticianry can offer flexible training and education, and ample opportunities for growth and advancement. Opticians can progress to manage their optical store, or find specialties within sales, customer service or business operations. 

Optician licensing and education requirements differ state by state, so be sure to check the qualifications for your area. 

Optometry and Ophthalmology

When it comes to careers in eyecare, it’s essential to understand the nuances between optometry and ophthalmology. Both are fields dedicated to preserving and enhancing vision, but they serve distinct purposes and offer different levels of expertise.

Optometry: Focused on Vision and Eye Health

Optometrists (ODs) are primary eyecare providers who specialize in vision and eye health. They perform comprehensive eye exams to assess vision and detect common eye diseases like glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. 

Optometrists typically have an undergraduate degree or pre-requisite credit hours in related coursework and complete an additional four-year optometry program. Optometrists are trained to prescribe corrective lenses, including glasses and contact lenses, to improve visual acuity and correct refractive errors such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism.

Optometrists are the first line of defense when it comes to maintaining optimal eye health. They play a vital role in preventive care, early detection of eye conditions, and ongoing management of vision problems.

Ophthalmology: Advanced Eyecare and Surgery

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors (MDs) or doctors of osteopathy (DOs) who specialize in the medical and surgical treatment of eye diseases and disorders. They undergo extensive medical training, which typically includes four years of medical school followed by residency training specifically focused on eyecare. Ophthalmologists diagnose and treat a wide range of eye conditions, from routine issues like dry eyes and allergies to complex diseases like retinal detachment and diabetic retinopathy.

One of the key distinctions of ophthalmology is its surgical component. Ophthalmologists are trained to perform various eye surgeries, including cataract surgery, LASIK (laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis) for vision correction, corneal transplants, and retinal surgeries. They provide comprehensive care for patients with both routine and complex eye conditions, offering medical management, surgical interventions, and long-term follow-up care.

Careers Within the Industry

Pursuing a career within the optical industry, but not in a healthcare capacity, can be a great fit for people who are looking to help people see and feel their best without embarking on a clinical career path.

Working within “industry” can include a lot of different things – most simply, it is working for a company that supports the research, development, production, distribution or sales of optical products and services. Jobs within these companies can include finance and administration, human resources, manufacturing and quality control, supply chain management, research and development, product design, public relations and marketing, and sales among others.