2. Introduction
A career in optometry
involves the examination of
the eyes and other parts of
the visual system. Visual
problems and diseases are
diagnosed and treated.
I am drawn to this career
because I want to become
an expert in a specialized
area.
A career as a physician
assistant involves practicing
medicine under the
supervision of a physician.
Physician assistants
examine, diagnose, and treat
patients.
I am drawn to this career
because there are so many
areas of medicine in which to
practice to choose from.
3. History of Optometry
1783-first US shop for optometric services in Philadelphia
1784-split bifocal lens invented
1801-astigmatism discovered
1851-interior of living eye first seen
1872-optometry programs begin
1910-first university courses in optometry
1923-first Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree awarded
1965-Medicare and Medicaid discriminate against optometrists
1973-bill introduced to allow prescription of drugs
1998-1st law authorizing use of lasers
4. History of Physician Assistant
1650-German military medical assistants used
1891-first medic instruction
1930-doctor trains medic in urology and medic becomes his
assistant
mid 1960’s-shortage of primary care physicians
1965-1st class of PA’s (mostly military medics)
Early 1970’s-federal acceptance
2007-141 accredited programs in US
2015-190 accredited programs in US
5. Graduate Programs
Optometry School:
Doctor of Optometry Degree (O.D.)
4 year program
17 accredited programs in US
Take Optometry Admission Test
(OAT)
Option: 1 year residency-advanced
training in particular area of
interest
Two programs offer in state tuition
to SC residents (about
$20,000/year):
Southern College of
Optometry-Memphis, TN
UAB School of Optometry-
Birmingham, AL
Physician Assistant School:
Certified PA: PA-C
26 month program
190 accredited programs in US
Take GRE to get in
Take PANCE to get certified
2000 hours of clinical rotations in
program
Only Program in SC (about
$16,000/year):
MUSC PA Program-
Charleston, SC
6. Duties
Optometrist:
Vision tests, analyzes results
Diagnose sight problems
Prescribe glasses, contacts,
medications
Pre and post-op care
Evaluate for disease
presence
Eye health counseling
Physician Assistant:
Medical history
Physical exams
Diagnose/treat illnesses
Order and interpret tests
Treatment plan
Prevention counseling
Assist surgeries
Write prescriptions
Rounds in hospitals
7. Workplace Settings
Optometry:
Individual private practice
Partnership/group practice
Retail setting
Ophthalmologic Professional
setting
Academic-teaching
Corporate/Commercial
Physician Assistant:
Hospitals
Doctors offices
Community health center
Nursing homes
Schools/universities
Correctional institutions
8. Specialties
Optometrist:
Family Practice
Primary Eye Care
Cornea and Contact Lenses
Geriatric Optometry
Pediatric Optometry
Vision Therapy and Rehab.
Low Vision Rehab.
Ocular disease
Refractive and Ocular Surgery
Community Health
Brain Injury Rehab.
My interests:
Vision Therapy
Pediatric
Physician Assistant:
Family medicine
Internal medicine
Emergency
Pediatrics
OB-GYN
Surgery
Orthopedics
Behavioral medicine
Dermatology
Neurology
Gastroenterology
My interests:
Dermatology
Neonatal
9. Growth Potential &
Salary Range
Optometry:
Job Outlook for 2012-2022:
24%-much faster than avg.
Prospects:
Many expected to retire in
next decade
Limited number of schools
so promising future if
licensed
Median Salary: $97,820/yr
Physician Assistant:
Job Outlook for 2012-2022:
38%-much faster than avg.
Prospects:
good for
rural/underserved areas
primary care
Median Salary: $90,930/yr
10. O*Net Results and Skills
O*Net Results:
1) Investigative: A thinker who is intelligent, logical, and curious,
they ask why and seek challenges
2) Social: A helper who motivates and empowers others
3) Enterprising: These are leaders who persuade, are
competitive, take risks, and are organizers
Examples of My Skills
1) Investigative: My studies come first and I am in the Calhoun
Honors College.
2) Social: I am an undergraduate TA for Anatomy and
Physiology lab and help students learn course material.
3) Enterprising: I am the Allied Health Chair of AED and also
play tennis.
11. Skills Required for Both
Professions:
Communication Skills
Compassion
Detail Oriented
Problem Solving Skills
Decision-Making Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Emotional Stability
12. Candidate Qualities for
Required Skills
My investigative qualities fulfill the need of:
Detail orientation
Problem Solving skills
My social qualities fulfill the need of:
Communication skills
Interpersonal skills
Emotional stability
Compassion
My enterprising qualities fulfill the need of:
Decision making skills
14. Conclusion
Optometry:
Career has been around for
a while but has fairly recently
gained more power
Few schools compared with
physician assistant schools
Provides primary health care
for eyes
Variety of specialties
available with residency
Job outlook lower than PA
but salary is higher
Physician Assistant:
Idea for career has existed a
long time but the actual
career is very new
Takes half the time of
optometry or medical school
but requires many hours of
experience for admission
Practice medicine under
supervision of physician
Can work in any area of
medicine
Huge growth potential in
future
15. References
Optometry History Timelines (2014). American OptometricAssociation. Retrieved fromhttp://fs.aoa.org/optometry-archives/optometry-timeline.html
History of the PA Profession (2015). American Academy ofPhysician Assistants. Retrieved fromhttps://www.aapa.org/threeColumnLanding.aspx?id=429
History of the Profession (2015). Yale School of Medicine.Retrievedfromhttp://medicine.yale.edu/pa/profession/history_profession.aspx
Physician Assistant profession (2015). Medline Plus. Retrievedfromhttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001935.htm
Historic Precedents (2013). Physician Assistant HistorySocietty. Retrieved from http://www.pahx.org/period01.html
Optometrists. (2014). Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved fromhttp://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/optometrists.htm#tab-4
Accredited PA Programs. (2015). ARC-PA. Retrieved fromhttp://www.arc-pa.org/acc_programs/
Optometry: A Career Guide. (2013). ASCO. Retrieved fromhttp://www.opted.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/EyesHaveIt_CareerGuide.pdf
What is a PA? (2015). American Optometric Association.Retrieved fromhttps://www.aapa.org/landingquestion.aspx?id=290
About the Physician Assistant Profession. (2011). PaceUniversity Physician Assistant Studies. Retrieved fromhttp://www.pace.edu/physician-assistant/frequently-asked-questions