In this week’s look at the STEM sector, we examine the work of optometrists, something a sight more complex than it appears to be at first glance.
Optometrists, as you may have divined from that pun-heavy intro, make their living from studying the eye.
Utilising specialist equipment, optometrists examine the eye for signs of disease and degeneration. They do not provide treatment for diseases or other medical conditions, but will refer patients to doctors or specialists as required.
What they do: Assess eye health, looking for defects or disease, prescribing corrective lenses, and refer patients to medical practitioners if necessary.
What they don’t do: Tell you if those glasses make your head look weird.
Educational requirements: To work as an optometrist in Ireland, you must have successfully completed a four-year BSc in Optometry, and passed professional qualifying exams. A postgraduate degree is not required.
Skills: An understanding of scientific principles, a willingness to keep up with scientific and technological developments, strong powers of observation, meticulous record keeping, manual dexterity, and a decent bedside manner.
Here are some memes that should be crystal clear to anyone with a background in optometry:
Okay, we know these are all pretty bad.
But you haven’t seen the end of them – we’re only halfway through.
And just to give you a real taste of what optometrists have to put up with, here’s a classic scene from Friends:
Main image, via Shutterstock
