Optometrists

Optometrists

NOC
31111

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

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Quick facts

3-Year Outlook

Very Good
Very Good

3-Year Job Openings

25
 

Median Hourly Wage

N/A

Average Salary

$120,000
 

Typically Required

University

Employed

83
 
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Job details

Full NOC Description

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. They work in private practice, hospitals, clinics, community health centres, rehabilitation centres, the optical industry, government and universities.

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

    • Also Known As

    • doctor of optometry (OD)
    • optometrist
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    Requirements

    Employment Requirements

    Three years of university undergraduate studies or, in Quebec, completion of a college program in sciences and a four- to five-year university program in optometry are required.
  • Licensing by the provincial or territorial regulatory governing body is required.

    • Provincial Regulation

    • Provincially Regulated: Yes

    Regulation Body

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    Employment by Sex

    The following graph shows the percentage of men and women working in this occupation in New Brunswick.

    Data legend

    47.4%
    Female
    52.6%
    Male
    Employment by age

    The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by age group.

    Data legend

    0.0%
    15-24
    0.0%
    25-34
    0.0%
    35-44
    0.0%
    45-54
    0.0%
    55-64
    0.0%
    65+
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    Employment by highest level of education

    The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick by highest level of education achieved.

    Data legend

    0.0%
    No Certificate, Diploma or Degree
    0.0%
    High School, Diploma or Equivalent
    0.0%
    Apprenticeship or Trades Certificate or Diploma
    0.0%
    College or University Below Bachelor Level
    100.0%
    University - Bachelor Level or Above
    Employment by Industry

    The following graph shows the industry groups in which the largest shares of persons working in this occupation in New Brunswick are employed. Small percentages for all top three industry groups may suggest employment for this occupation is widely distributed amongst many industry groups.

    Data legend

    100.0%
    Health care and social assistance
    N/A
    N/A
    N/A
    N/A
    N/A
    All Other Industries
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    Employment by Economic Regions

    The following graph shows the breakdown of all persons employed in this occupation in New Brunswick by which economic region they reside in.

    Data legend

    15.80%
    Northeast
    26.30%
    Southeast
    10.50%
    Southwest
    15.80%
    Central
    31.60%
    Northwest
    Province of New Brunswick Economic Regions

    Economic Regions

    The following map displays New Brunswick’s five economic regions. An economic region (ER) is a grouping of counties, created as a standard unit for analysis of regional economic activity across Canada.

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    Annual Average Salary by Economic Regions

    The following graph shows the average salary of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.

    No Data Available

    Data legend

    No Data Available
    Province of New Brunswick Economic Regions

    Economic Regions

    The following map displays New Brunswick’s five economic regions. An economic region (ER) is a grouping of counties, created as a standard unit for analysis of regional economic activity across Canada.

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    Hourly Median Wages by Economic Regions

    The following represents the median hourly wage of all persons employed in this occupation in each of New Brunswick’s five economic regions.

    No Data Available
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    Salary

    The following shows the average salary of everyone who worked full-time and year-round in this occupation across each of the Atlantic Provinces and nationally.

    New Brunswick

    $120,000

    Newfoundland

    N/A

    Prince Edward Island

    N/A

    Nova Scotia

    $112,000

    Canada

    $92,600
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    Employment Outlook

    The following represents the number of job openings that are expected to occur in this occupation over the next three and ten years respectively, broken down by openings expected to result from growth (“new jobs”) and openings expected to result from attrition (death and retirements).

    Three Year Outlook

    Total Openings: 3-Year

    25
     

    New Jobs: 3-Year

    15
     

    Retirements/Deaths: 3-Year

    9
     

    Ten Year Outlook

    Total Openings: 10-Year

    54
     

    New Jobs: 10-Year

    27
     

    Retirements/Deaths: 10-Year

    27
     
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