Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Optometrist
What optometrists actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for an optometrist?
Do a comprehensive eye exam. From there, the day usually includes perform eye exams, prescribe glasses and contacts, and diagnose eye diseases. Most work full-time; retail settings often include evenings and weekends.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an optometrist working full time.
- Do a comprehensive eye exam.
- Fit contact lenses for a teen.
- Check eye pressure for a glaucoma patient.
- Treat a patient with pink eye.
- Do a diabetic eye exam.
- Review retinal photos.
- Write referrals and notes.
Where optometrists work
Optometrists work in private practices, retail optical stores, clinics and medical centers.
Hours and schedule
Most work full-time; retail settings often include evenings and weekends.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Perform eye exams
- Prescribe glasses and contacts
- Diagnose eye diseases
- Treat infections and dry eye
- Manage glaucoma and diabetic eye care
- Fit specialty contact lenses
- Refer for surgery
Tools you’ll use every day
- Phoropter
- Slit lamp
- Tonometer
- Retinal camera
- OCT scanner
- Electronic health records
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- High pay
- Regular hours
- Faster-than-average growth
- Mix of medical and vision care
What’s hard
- Doctoral degree and debt
- Repetitive exams
- Retail pressure in some settings
- Insurance paperwork
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I’m interested in vision and eyes
- I like regular hours
- I enjoy helping patients
- I want a doctoral career
- I like technology
- I’m detail-oriented
Not sure? Take the free Optometrist fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow infection control with instruments
- Teach contact lens hygiene
- Refer urgent conditions immediately
- Use dilating drops safely