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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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31111.00 – Optometrists

Optometrists examine eyes to assess and diagnose ocular diseases and disorders. They prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses and recommend treatments such as exercises to correct vision problems or ocular disorders.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Doctor of optometry (OD)
  • Optometrist

Core competencies

  • Oral Communication: Oral Expression to explain complex medical terminology and recommend treatment options, such as eyeglasses, contact lenses or vision therapy exercises, in a way that patients can understand
  • Reading Comprehension to interpret a variety of medical documents, including patients' medical histories, visual field tests or retinal scan results, and scientific literature related to ocular diseases
  • Near Vision to identify defects in the eyes and surrounding tissues and to fit eyeglasses and contact lenses on patients
  • Problem Identification and Inductive Reasoning to diagnose diseases and other eye abnormalities through examinations, observation, instruments, and pharmaceutical agents to determine visual acuity and perception, focus, and coordination
  • Attention to Detail to analyze test results and develop a treatment plan
  • Knowledge in Physical Health to understand ocular anatomy, visual system physiology and related biomedical sciences, enabling accurate assessment of eye health and diagnosis of vision disorders

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Examine patients' eyes, conduct tests and use ophthalmoscopes, biomicroscopes and other specialized instruments to determine ocular health and visual efficiency
  • Prescribe and provide treatment (excluding surgery) to maintain, improve and correct vision and manage other ocular diseases and disorders
  • Prescribe, dispense and fit eyeglasses, contact lenses and other visual aids
  • Educate, counsel and advise patients on contact lens use and care, ocular hygiene, surgical and non-surgical options, and preventive care and maintenance related to occupation and lifestyle
  • Refer patients to ophthalmologists or other physicians and surgeons for treatment of ocular diseases or conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration and systemic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure
  • Collaborate with ophthalmologists and other healthcare professionals to provide pre- and post-operative care for patients undergoing eye surgeries such as laser vision correction
  • May prescribe from a limited list of medications
  • Conduct research and promote advancement in the visual sciences.

Additional information

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

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

3 – Health occupations

TEER

1 – Occupations usually require a university degree

Major group

31 – Professional occupations in health

Sub-major group

311 – Health treating and consultation services professionals

Minor group

3111 – Dentists, optometrists and audiologists

Unit group

31111 – Optometrists

Occupational profile

31111.00 – Optometrists

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.