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Optometrist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted Experts

Michael Rothschild,

Mark Nakano OD

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical optometrist skills. We ranked the top skills for optometrists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 29.1% of optometrist resumes contained patients as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an optometrist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 optometrist skills for your resume and career

1. Patients

Here's how optometrists use patients:

Discovered and developed techniques to better administer visual field test primarily to geriatric patients.
Work alongside Ophthalmologists in group setting providing Co-management care to Cataract and Refractive surgery patients

2. Patient Care

Patient care entails the diagnosis, recovery, and control of sickness as well as the maintenance of physical and emotional well-being through the use of healthcare providers' services. Patient care is described as services provided to patients by health practitioners or non-professionals under guidance.

Here's how optometrists use patient care:

Owned and operated the business and oversaw all aspects, including personnel, patient care, and insurance claims.
Developed practice protocols, which organized and improved patient care, insurance billing, and electronic medical records.

3. Diagnosis

Here's how optometrists use diagnosis:

Experienced in the diagnosis and management of ocular pathology with prescription of appropriate therapeutic agents.
Referred suspected systemic diseases for proper diagnosis and treatment and provided post examination counseling.

4. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how optometrists use customer service:

Solo practitioner providing comprehensive and emergency eye care with superior customer service.
Provide excellent customer service while delivering an accurate vision care.

5. Diagnostic Tests

Here's how optometrists use diagnostic tests:

Perform diagnostic tests as assigned by the Optometrist.
Prepped examination rooms and equipment, took patient history, educated patients, and conducted various pre-diagnostic tests.

6. Pre

Pre is an acronym that indicates before or prior, but what it is prior to depends on the remaining word. For instance, "Pre-K" is a form of schooling that comes before kindergarten, and "pre-calculus" refers to a math class that teaches the foundations of calculus.

Here's how optometrists use pre:

Scheduled patients, Answered phones, Ran pre exams on patients using several machines to include the latest in technology.
Created statistical reports with pre and post topography conditions and visual acuity results in IOL implant surgery.

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7. Visual Acuity

Visual acuity refers to how clear or sharp a person's vision is. To determine this, eye doctors or optometrists use a series of visual tests including reading letters on a wall at decreasing sizes. Depending on the accuracy, each eye is assigned a number, such as 20/20. If an eye has 20/20 vision, this means the eye can clearly see something 20 feet away that should be seen or easily read 20 feet away.

Here's how optometrists use visual acuity:

Determined visual acuity and perception, focus and coordination.
Measured visual acuity and refraction.

Select Skills To Add To Your Resume

Patients

Patient Care

Diagnosis

Customer Service

Diagnostic Tests

Pre

8. Medical History

Here's how optometrists use medical history:

Help to work up patients before an exam by gathering medical history information and updating it electronically.
Check in and update medical history.

9. OCT

OCT is an optical test used to identify and diagnose many eye conditions including Glaucoma, macular degeneration and more. Light waves are used to capture images of the retina. These results allow the ophthalmologist or eye specialist to locate abnormalities in the eyes and provide appropriate diagnoses for the problems.

Here's how optometrists use oct:

Performed special testing that included work with tonometry equipment, OCT equipment, and visual field equipment.
Experience in utilizing OCT, GDX, Humphrey Visual Field, and Bscan

10. Glaucoma

Glaucoma is an eye condition that affects the optic nerves and vision. Most common in older people, Glaucoma is caused by high pressure in the eye and is the leading cause of blindness in older people.

Here's how optometrists use glaucoma:

Sole Optometrist in high-volume ophthalmology practice working alongside cornea and glaucoma specialists to provide management of comprehensive ophthalmic care.
Performed preliminary exams including glaucoma and peripheral examinations.

11. Exam Rooms

An exam room in a hospital is a place where patients are examined by medical representatives. In several cases, the exam room distinguishes the doctor-patient relationship and is a critical component of the overall care process.

Here's how optometrists use exam rooms:

Assist the Doctor in the exam room as well as verified insurance, checked in contact lenses and some billing.
Conducted preliminary testing prior to the exam and prepared the exam room for the Optometrist.

12. Safety Factors

Here's how optometrists use safety factors:

Educated and counseled patients on ocular hygiene, lighting arrangements and safety factors.

13. Macular Degeneration

Here's how optometrists use macular degeneration:

Collaborated with local ophthalmologists to provide the post-management of age-related macular degeneration ( AMD) patients after lucentis injections.

14. Vision Aids

Here's how optometrists use vision aids:

Prescribed, supplied, fitted, and adjusted eyeglasses and other vision aids.
Prescribed eyeglasses, contact lenses and additional vision aids to correct vision.

15. Rehabilitation

Here's how optometrists use rehabilitation:

Treated patients with low vision rehabilitation routinely.
Developed and manage the low vision rehabilitation and specialty contact lens services of the practice.

5 Optometrist Resume Examples

Build a professional optometrist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 5+ resume templates to create your optometrist resume.


Donna Morales Optometrist Contact Information Hughesville, PA (850) 555-4365 dmorales@example.com Skills • EMR • Patient Care • Foreign Body Removal • Lensometry • Fluorescein Angiography • Tomography • Intraocular Pressure • DR • Depth Perception • Slit Lamp Employment History Optometrist 2018 - Present D-R SERVICES Hughesville, PA • Sell goods such as contact lenses, spectacles, sunglasses, and other goods related to eyes in general. • Assist the Doctor in the exam room as well as verified insurance, checked in contact lenses and some billing. • Perform comprehensive eye exams and contact lens fittings Recommend lens options to patients Provide coverage for additional offices in the practice • General front office for a family practice doctor. Ophthalmic Technician 2008 - 2018 Agape New York, NY • Coordinate care with other organizations to provide complete patient care. • Coordinate with referring physician offices to facilitate patient care. Optometric Technician (Part-Time) 2002 - 2004 Costco Wholesale Atlanta, GA • Instructed patients on proper contact lens insertion and removal and medication use. • Assisted the Optometrists in providing quality patient care and clinical diagnosis. • Involved in all aspects of patient care. • Conducted special testing (Fundus photo, Glaucoma Diagnostic Test, Visual Field). Education Doctoral Degree Optometry 2005 - 2008 SUNY College of Optometry New York, NY Master's Degree Biology 2004 - 2005 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey New Brunswick, NJ Bachelor's Degree Biology 2001 - 2004 Georgia State University Atlanta, GA


Christopher Gomez Optometrist Contact Info Boston, MA (560) 555-0134 cgomez@example.com Skills Patient CareOptical ComponentsOptical LaboratorySafety FactorsSpecific LensesCNCDiagnostic TestsOptical ProductsFamily PracticePOS Employment History Optometrist 2020 - Present Sears Holdings Boston, MA • Teach patients proper insertion and removal techniques for contact lenses. • Provided primary and therapeutic care to patients with large emphasis on contact lens fitting. • Self-Employed Provide comprehensive primary eye care including diagnosis and treatment of minor ocular disease and emergencies. Optical Technician 2011 - 2020 Sears Holdings Boston, MA • Ensured frames were coordinated with facial and eye measurements and optical prescriptions. • Handle customer complaints and staff conflicts. • Prepared work orders for the optical laboratory that specified the grinding and mounting of lenses in the chosen frames. • Sell goods such as contact lenses, spectacles, sunglasses, and other goods related to eyes in general. Optician Apprentice (Part-Time) 2006 - 2008 US Vision New York, NY • Educate patients on the proper care and cleaning of contact lenses. • Scheduled Appointments for Optometrists, met and exceeded target sales goals, kept store remakes under projections month to month. • Assist client s with inserting, removing, and caring for contact lenses. Education Doctoral Degree Optometry 2008 - 2011 New England College of Optometry Boston, MA Bachelor's Degree Psychology 2005 - 2008 New York University New York, NY


Donna Morales Optometrist Hughesville, PA dmorales@example.com (850) 555-4365 Experience Optometrist 2018 - Present D-R SERVICESHughesville, PA • Sell goods such as contact lenses, spectacles, sunglasses, and other goods related to eyes in general. • Assist the Doctor in the exam room as well as verified insurance, checked in contact lenses and some billing. • Perform comprehensive eye exams and contact lens fittings Recommend lens options to patients Provide coverage for additional offices in the practice • General front office for a family practice doctor. Ophthalmic Technician 2008 - 2018 AgapeNew York, NY • Coordinate care with other organizations to provide complete patient care. • Coordinate with referring physician offices to facilitate patient care. Optometric Technician (Part-Time) 2002 - 2004 Costco WholesaleAtlanta, GA • Instructed patients on proper contact lens insertion and removal and medication use. • Assisted the Optometrists in providing quality patient care and clinical diagnosis. • Involved in all aspects of patient care. • Conducted special testing (Fundus photo, Glaucoma Diagnostic Test, Visual Field). Skills EMR Patient Care Foreign Body Removal Lensometry Fluorescein Angiography Tomography Intraocular Pressure DR Depth Perception Slit Lamp Education Doctoral Degree Optometry 2005 - 2008 SUNY College of OptometryNew York, NY Master's Degree Biology 2004 - 2005 Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyNew Brunswick, NJ Bachelor's Degree Biology 2001 - 2004 Georgia State UniversityAtlanta, GA


Catherine Pierce Optometrist Employment History Optometrist 2020 - Present WalmartLas Vegas, NV • Educate patients on proper contact lens care • Experienced in the diagnosis and management of ocular pathology with prescription of appropriate therapeutic agents. • Practice involves fitting patients for eyeglasses and contact lenses. • Check in-out patients * Pre-test patients * Educate patients on how to wear and clean contact lenses • Located, checked in and pulled medical records for appointments and incomplete patient charts. Optical Technician 2018 - 2020 WalmartLas Vegas, NV • Sell goods such as contact lenses, spectacles, sunglasses, and other goods related to eyes in general. • Prepare work for optical laboratory with instructions for lens specifications. • Service Write Put away freight Run the cash register Perform various task on customer vehicles • Adjusted and worked on eye glasses. • Maintained proper inventory of eyeglasses and contact lenses. Optician Apprentice 2013 - 2014 Costco WholesaleSanta Barbara, CA • Receive optical prescriptions and interpret what they mean to provide patients the best materials possible to enhance their visual acuity. • Verify and fill eyeglass prescriptions, as well as contact lens prescriptions. • Experienced in shipping and receiving merchandise, frames contact lenses. • Verified prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses. • Sell optical products and services. Education Doctoral Degree Optometry 2015 - 2018 Western University of Health SciencesPomona, CA Master's Degree Biology 2014 - 2015 California State University - San BernardinoSan Bernardino, CA Bachelor's Degree Biology 2010 - 2013 University of California, Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA Contact Information Las Vegas, NV (250) 555-8700 cpierce@example.com Skills Optical Components Substance Abuse Patient Care Insurance Companies Safety Factors Patience American Board POS Dexterity Scheduling Appointments


Jennifer Cole Optometrist Mason, OH (650) 555-0844 jcole@example.com Skills Patient Care RN Ethics Semester Acute Care Clinical Assignments Safety Factors Clinical Training IOL Clinical Trials Employment History Optometrist 2017 - Present LuxotticaMason, OH • Provided primary optometric care including contact lens fittings and dilated fundus exams. • Provided primary and therapeutic care to patients with large emphasis on contact lens fitting. • Performed CEEs, and fit contact lenses on patients. • Owned an optometrist office and store, prescribing corrective lenses and performed procedures for diagnosis and eye condition treatment. Clinical Instructor 2011 - 2017 UNIV OF MISSOURI KANSAS CITYSaint Louis, MO • Provide instruction in both the classroom and clinical setting to junior and senior level respiratory therapy students. • supervised nursing care for second year students in the clinical setting • Evaluated student learning via written, electronic, and oral class assignments. Student/Clinical Rotation 2007 - 2008 Kaiser PermanenteFairfax, VA • Conducted patient assessments and administered medications (PO, IV, and injections) alongside an RN. • Assisted in patient care for up to 2 patients Developed teaching plans in various subjects • Travel assignment once again at Kaiser Permanente. • Partnered with other medical personnel to communicate with patients family members to ensure the best and most cohesive patient care possible. • Direct patient care, maximum 1 patient Daily assessments and implementation of nursing care plan Provided patient education Medication and treatment administration Education Doctoral Degree Optometry 2008 - 2011 Southeastern UniversityWashington, DC Bachelor's Degree Biology 2004 - 2007 George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA

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What skills help Optometrists find jobs?

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What skills stand out on Optometrist resumes?

Michael Rothschild

Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham

In today's environment, anything that shows "flexibility" stands out on a resume. The eye care world is changing fast and employers need to know that their optometrists can change roles quickly and effectively. Resumes should highlight special skills like teleoptometry, speciality contact lenses or low vision. Demonstrate your interest in the vast experiences you can have in delivering optometric care.

What Optometrist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Mark Nakano OD

Associate Dean for Clinics, Assistant Professor, Marshall B. Ketchum University

Increasing your earning potential will come with your efficiency and your clinical skill set. The more areas that you can add to a practice the better you should do financially. For example, adding glaucoma care, eye disease, myopia management, specialty contact lenses, or dry eye services to a practice that does not offer those services will be tremendous. The idea is to become an asset not a liability.

Do you want to know more?

List of optometrist skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for an optometrist resume and required skills for an optometrist to have include:

Patients
Patient Care
Diagnosis
Customer Service
Diagnostic Tests
Pre
Visual Acuity
Medical History
OCT
Glaucoma
Exam Rooms
Safety Factors
Macular Degeneration
Vision Aids
Rehabilitation

Foreign Body Removal
Visual Fields
Ocular Disease
Cataracts
LASIK
Post-Operative Care
Diabetic Retinopathy
Front Desk
Color Vision
Insurance Billing
Test Results
Primary Eye Care
Vision Therapy
Scheduling Appointments
Office Equipment

Ocular Health
Hippa
Depth Perception
Patient History
Refractive Surgery
Dry Eye
Comprehensive Eye Care
Fundus Photography
Medical Eye Care
Private Practice
Prism
Vision Exams
Patient Appointments
RGP
Patient Charts

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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Optometrist Skills

Updated January 8, 2025

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