Optometrist Health Professionals
SaveWhat Does an Optometrist Do?
Optometrists examine and test eyes to identify abnormalities, visual problems, or disease. They prescribe and fit lenses such as spectacles and contacts, and offer advice on visual problems. They may also refer patients to a medical practitioner. Their scope of practice and title varies according to national regulations.
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Where Do I Start?
Refraction Of The Eye
The way to perform clinical tests by using a phoropter to identify the eye's refractive error.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become an Optometrist
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialRefraction Of The Eye knowledge
The way to perform clinical tests by using a phoropter to identify the eye's refractive error.
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EssentialOptical Instruments knowledge
The characteristics and usage of optical instruments such as lens-meter, to determine refractive power of lenses such as glasses.
Recommended Books
2 books -
EssentialOptical Glass Characteristics knowledge
The characteristics of optical glass such as refractive index, dispersion, and chemical properties.
Recommended Books
1 book -
EssentialPreventive Medicine knowledge
The measures taken for disease prevention in a specific area or a group of people.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialEye Protection Regulations knowledge
Eye protection regulations and relevant standards in relation to occupational visual requirements.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialQuality Standards Of Ophthalmic Equipment knowledge
The various national or international quality standards for ophthalmic equipment (glasses, lenses, etc) such as ISO 10685-1:2011.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialAccept Own Accountability skill
Accept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAdhere To Organisational Guidelines skill
Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAdvise On Healthcare Users' Informed Consent skill
Ensure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Context Specific Clinical Competences skill
Apply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within one`s own scope …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Health Sciences skill
Apply a broad range of bio-medical, psycho-social, organisational, educational, and societal aspects of health, disease, and healthcare to improve healthcare services and to improve quality of life.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialApply Organisational Techniques skill
Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the goals set. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialCommunicate Effectively In Healthcare skill
Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialComply With Legislation Related To Health Care skill
Comply with the regional and national legislation that is relevant to one`s work and apply it in practice.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialComply With Quality Standards Related To Healthcare Practice skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialContribute To Continuity Of Health Care skill
Contribute to the delivery of coordinated and continuous healthcare.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDeal With Emergency Care Situations skill
Assess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialDevelop A Collaborative Therapeutic Relationship skill
Develop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEducate On The Prevention Of Illness skill
Offer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEmpathise With The Healthcare User skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Safety Of Healthcare Users skill
Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialFollow Clinical Guidelines skill
Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInform Policy Makers On Health-Related Challenges skill
Provide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialInteract With Healthcare Users skill
Communicate with clients and their carer's, with the patient's permission, to keep them informed about the clients' and patients' progress and safeguarding confidentiality.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialListen Actively skill
Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialManage Healthcare Users' Data skill
Keep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, written and electronic) …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPromote Inclusion skill
Promote inclusion in health care and social services and respect diversity of beliefs, culture, values and preferences, keeping in mind the importance of equality and diversity issues.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialProvide Health Education skill
Provide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialProvide Treatment Strategies For Challenges To Human Health skill
Identify possible treatment protocols for the challenges to human health within a given community in cases such as infectious diseases of high consequences at the global level.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRecord Healthcare Users' Progress Related To Treatment skill
Record the healthcare user's progress in response to treatment by observing, listening and measuring outcomes.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRefer Healthcare Users skill
Make referrals to other professionals, based on the healthcare user's requirements and needs, especially when recognising that additional healthcare diagnostics or interventions are required.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRespond To Changing Situations In Health Care skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUse E-Health And Mobile Health Technologies skill
Use mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWork In A Multicultural Environment In Health Care skill
Interact, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialWork In Multidisciplinary Health Teams skill
Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAdvise On Contact Lense Maintenance skill
Advise patients on how to clean and wear contact lenses to maximise lifespan and minimise risk of complications.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialAdvise Patients On Vision Improvement Conditions skill
Advise patients with low vision on strategies to enhance their sight, such as use of magnification and lighting equipment.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Comprehensive Eye Examinations skill
Undertake comprehensive eye examinations to determine prescription needs or diagnose disease or abnormalities. Some of the methods for this are cover tests, color blindness tests, and pupil dilation.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPerform Vision Rehabilitation skill
Maximise the remaining sight in people with low vision using rehabilitation strategies and magnification aids.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPrescribe Corrective Lenses skill
Prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, according to measurements and tests conducted.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPromote Ocular Health skill
Participate in activities that contribute to promoting ocular health and preventing ocular problems.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialProvide Therapy Of The Visual System skill
Apply suitable orthoptic, pleoptic and optic treatment methods, using equipment such as lenses (`training glasses`), prisms, filters, patches, electronic targets, or balance boards, and suggest and implement adaptation options or …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialTest Visual Acuity skill
Test patients` visual acuity, perception of depth colour, and ability to focus and coordinate the eyes.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 14 displayed)
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OptionalApply Numeracy Skills skill
Practise reasoning and apply simple or complex numerical concepts and calculations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEmploy Foreign Languages For Health-Related Research skill
Use foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEmploy Foreign Languages In Care skill
Communicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalHave Computer Literacy skill
Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalImplement Marketing Strategies skill
Implement strategies which aim to promote a specific product or service, using the developed marketing strategies.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalImplement Sales Strategies skill
Carry out the plan to gain competitive advantage on the market by positioning the company's brand or product and by targeting the right audience to sell this brand or product …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Staff skill
Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalProcess Payments skill
Accept payments such as cash, credit cards and debit cards. Handle reimbursement in case of returns or administer vouchers and marketing instruments such as bonus cards or membership cards. Pay …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRecord Healthcare Users' Billing Information skill
Record the healthcare user`s information for the billing of provided medical services.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalAdminister Medication For Vision Problems skill
Administer medication to patients to aid in the diagnosis of vision problems and prescribe drugs to treat some eye diseases.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalDiagnose Problems Of The Visual System skill
Identify and diagnose problems of the visual system, such as those related to binocular vision, ocular motility, amblyopia or lazy eye, strabismus or squint, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, assessing the sensory …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalParticipate In Medical Inventory Control skill
Participate in inventory control and safe storage of materials and re-order supplies.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPerform Ocular Tonometry skill
Perform ocular tonometry as a test to determine the intraocular pressure inside the eye of patients at risk from glaucoma.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalProvide Domiciliary Eyecare skill
Provide in-home eyecare for patients.
Course recommendations coming soon.