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Service Branches
Work Environment
Optometrists work in clinics and hospitals.
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Military Status
Officer
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Average Military Salary
$87,719
Overview
Optometrists perform comprehensive eye exams, during which they check patients’ eyes for common eye diseases, assess how their eyes work together as a team, and evaluate their eyes as an indicator of their overall health. They also provide vision correction through vision training, glasses, or contact lenses. They see service members of all ages and stages of vision development and degeneration, and refer patients with eye diseases to ophthalmologists.
Military Training
Officers typically enter the Military after they have completed a four-year college degree; enlisted service members can transition to officer positions through a variety of pathways and earn a degree while serving. Job training for optometrists primarily consists of classroom instruction and on-the-job learning in various training environments. Like other officers working in healthcare, they complete a comprehensive training program covering responsibilities, orientation to military structure, healthcare and etiquette, traditions, and leadership development.
Helpful Attributes
- Desire to help others
- Interest in work requiring accuracy and attention to detail
- Preference for working closely with people
Related Civilian Careers
- Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
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