1. Diagnose, manage, and treat conditions and diseases of the human eye and visual system. Examine eyes and visual system, diagnose problems or impairments, prescribe corrective lenses, and provide treatment.

2. Examine eyes, using observation, instruments and pharmaceutical agents, to determine visual acuity and perception, focus and coordination and to diagnose diseases and other abnormalities such as glaucoma or color blindness.

3. Prescribe, supply, fit and adjust eyeglasses, contact lenses and other vision aids.

4. Analyze test results and develop a treatment plan.

5. Prescribe medications to treat eye diseases if state laws permit.

6. Remove foreign bodies from the eye.

7. Prescribe therapeutic procedures to correct or conserve vision.

8. Educate and counsel patients on contact lens care, visual hygiene, lighting arrangements and safety factors.

9. Consult with and refer patients to ophthalmologist or other health care practitioner if additional medical treatment is determined necessary.

10. Provide patients undergoing eye surgeries, such as cataract and laser vision correction, with pre- and post-operative care.

11. Provide vision therapy and low vision rehabilitation.

Key knowledge areas

The following knowledge areas aid an Optometrist to execute his/her duties better;

Medicine and Dentistry — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Biology — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Psychology — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar

Skills

The following skills aid an optometrist . carry out his/her duties with ease ;.

Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Science — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Abilities 

Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.