Description
Example Titles
Classified Elsewhere
Duties
Skills
Employment Requirements
Terms & Conditions
Earnings
Education / Training
Career Paths
Outlook
Professional Associations and unions

Employment by Age Group
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Optometrists (NOC 3121)

Description

Optometrists are registered health practitioners who provide diagnostic and treatment services related to the eye. Their services include examination, diagnosis, and counselling regarding vision disorders and eye diseases, plus corrective treatment (including prescription and fitting of eyeglasses and contact lenses) or condition management, when required.

Example Titles

Doctor of Optometry
Optometrist

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Classified Elsewhere

Ophthalmologists (in 3111 Specialist Physicians)
Opticians (3231)
Orthoptists (in 3123 Other Professional Occupations in Health Diagnosing and Treating)

Duties

Optometrists provide the following health care services:

eye examinations to evaluate eye health and vision status and diagnose eye disease and vision problems.
prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct or manage vision problems
dispense and fit eyeglasses, contact lenses and low vision aids.
prescribe and deliver therapies to correct or manage eye muscle or perceptual problems and low vision
counsel and monitor patients referred to ophthalmologists or other specialists for medical or surgical treatment.

Skills

Optometrists need the following skills and abilities:

Essentials skills:

ability to work with a high degree of precision, and attention to detail,
manual dexterity in handling delicate instruments,
be able to relate well to a wide range of people and gain their confidence,
ability to work independently and as a member of a team,
good problem-solving and decision-making skills,
emotional stability, maturity, integrity, reliability, realistic self appraisal,
ability to cope with stressful situations,
physical stamina and manual dexterity,
good listening and observational skills,
good verbal and written communication skills,
knowledge of computers.

Technical Skills:

supervisory skills in directing and instructing pharmacy staff,
administrative skills such as basic accounting, human resources and materials management may be required for optometrists operating their own offices.

Employment Requirements

In Manitoba, one to three years of college or university in a pre-optometry program with a concentration in mathematics and science courses, and a four-year university program in optometry are required.
To practice in Manitoba, candidates must pass the Canadian Assessment In Optometry (CAIO) Exam.
An optometrist planning to practice in Manitoba must be licensed under the Optometry Act of Manitoba and registered with the Manitoba Association of Optometrists.

Terms & Conditions

Optometrists work in clinical practices, and usually keep regular office hours although some evening and weekend work may be required. Most work full-time (100%). Self-employment in this occupation is typical (76%), while others work as associates to another registered optometrists who own their own practices.

Earnings

$64,300 per annum - starting

$88,200 per annum - average

$155,000 per annum - high

Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.

Education / Training

In Canada, two universities offer 4-year Doctor of Optometry degree programs, Note that applicants may be required to take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) to apply to the following programs:

The University of Waterloo in Ontario offers an optometry degree program in English. As a result of an agreement with Ontario, three Manitoba residents per year may enter the Faculty of Optometry at the University of Waterloo, if all other entrance criteria are met. Application should be made directly to the university. Students entering the program in September 2008 or after are required to have completed 3 years of optometry prerequisite courses. http://www.optometry.uwaterloo.ca/
The University of Montreal in Quebec offers an optometry degree program in French. http://www.opto.umontreal.ca/
Brandon University, the University of Manitoba and the University of Winnipeg offer pre-professional programs in optometry, which provide the courses required for entry into the University of Waterloo program. Please refer to each University for detailed information on course work and programming.
The University of Manitoba offers the Special Pre-Medical Studies Program which is a two to four year program preparing Aboriginal students for entrance into medical and dental schools or other health-related faculties.

Career Paths

Optometrists are employed in clinics, community health centres, hospitals, in private practice and as consultants to private business.

Optometrists may specialize in fitting visual aids for people who are partially blind, fitting contact lenses or correcting special vision problems.

With further education, optometrists may also find positions in research, teaching or in industrial sales.

Outlook

Employment opportunities for optometrists are expected to be good in the period 2009 - 2013. In 2009 the number of registered practitioners is estimated at 125.

Practice opportunities are expected to continue to be good because of an increase in the eye care needs of an aging population. Persons over the age of 45 tend to visit optometrists and opthalmologists more often because of the onset of vision problems in middle age, and the increased likelihood of more serious vision problems such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts.

In 2008, the Manitoba government passed legislation that expands the range of services that can be provided by optometrists. These include prescribing certain drugs, performing minor procedures like removing objects from eyes, as well as ordering and receiving some reports and tests. This will create more work for optometrists, particularly in rural and remote areas.

There is a growing interest in prescription glasses and sun glasses as fashion accessories and more medical insurance plans are covering eye glasses and contact lenses. Services may also become more specialized to meet workplace safety concerns and the needs of particular groups such as athletes.

A proportionally larger share of optometric practices are located in Winnipeg. Most optometrists work in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector (85%) and the remainder in Retail Trade (12%).

Employment by Age Group

Employment by Industry

Employment by Region

Employment by Gender

Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification

Employment by Visible Minority

Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.

Professional Associations and unions...

Manitoba Association of Optometrists, 200B-392 Academy Road, Winnipeg, MB, R3N 0B8
Canadian Association of Optometrists, 234 Argyle Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K2P 1B9, http://www.opto.ca