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Optometrist vs eye specialist

The differences between optometrists and eye specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an optometrist has an average salary of $187,654, which is higher than the $71,371 average annual salary of an eye specialist.

The top three skills for an optometrist include patients, patient care and diagnosis. The most important skills for an eye specialist are patients, appointment scheduling, and surgery.

Optometrist vs eye specialist overview

OptometristEye Specialist
Yearly salary$187,654$71,371
Hourly rate$90.22$34.31
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs20,9935,904
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

Optometrist vs eye specialist salary

Optometrists and eye specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

OptometristEye Specialist
Average salary$187,654$71,371
Salary rangeBetween $94,000 And $373,000Between $31,000 And $162,000
Highest paying CityGreensboro, NC-
Highest paying stateNorth Carolina-
Best paying companyMayo Clinic-
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between optometrist and eye specialist education

There are a few differences between an optometrist and an eye specialist in terms of educational background:

OptometristEye Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 36%Bachelor's Degree, 32%
Most common majorOptometryBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of California, BerkeleyUniversity of Pennsylvania

Optometrist vs eye specialist demographics

Here are the differences between optometrists' and eye specialists' demographics:

OptometristEye Specialist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 25.9% Female, 74.1%Male, 22.7% Female, 77.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 1.4% Unknown, 3.0% Hispanic or Latino, 5.2% Asian, 17.1% White, 72.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 1.5% Unknown, 3.1% Hispanic or Latino, 5.4% Asian, 17.0% White, 72.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage18%18%

Differences between optometrist and eye specialist duties and responsibilities

Optometrist example responsibilities.

  • Experience in OCT, visual fields, and EMR.
  • View cataracts in live patients and compare to class examples.
  • Work closely with the LASIK and cataract surgeons to provide comprehensive care to patients.
  • Perform eye exams and care for all patients including pre op and post operative care.
  • Specialize in anterior segment surgery, cataract, glaucoma, retinal problems, and ocular oncology.
  • Create statistical reports with pre and post topography conditions and visual acuity results in IOL implant surgery.
  • Show more

Eye specialist example responsibilities.

  • Prepare educational documents on cataract surgery for patients and staff at clinic.
  • Assist the doctors with patients, using digital, traditional cameras, oct, filling and customer assistance.
  • Consult with and refer patients to ophthalmologist or other health care practitioner if additional medical treatment is determined necessary.
  • Perform soft and RGP contact lens fittings and evaluations, including toric, monovision and post corneal surgery lenses.

Optometrist vs eye specialist skills

Common optometrist skills
  • Patients, 29%
  • Patient Care, 13%
  • Diagnosis, 13%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Diagnostic Tests, 7%
  • Pre, 6%
Common eye specialist skills
  • Patients, 39%
  • Appointment Scheduling, 16%
  • Surgery, 5%
  • Quality Customer Service, 4%
  • Front Desk, 4%
  • Patient Charts, 3%

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