Optometrists

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. May prescribe therapeutic drugs to treat specific eye conditions.

The occupation "Optometrists" is estimated to have an automation risk of 39.4%, slightly below the base risk of 40.0%. This risk level means that while technology may alter many of the profession's routine tasks, the core role is still significantly reliant on specialized human skills and judgement. Advances in diagnostic technology and artificial intelligence have already begun to streamline and automate various aspects of eye examinations and prescription processes, but not to the extent of fully replacing trained optometrists. As such, automation is likely to transform the profession rather than eliminate it, with the human practitioner remaining crucial in oversight and complex decision-making scenarios. Among the most automatable tasks for optometrists are: examining eyes using observation, instruments, and pharmaceutical agents to determine visual acuity and diagnose diseases; analyzing test results to develop treatment plans; and prescribing, supplying, or adjusting eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids. These processes are protocol-driven and increasingly supported by technology such as autorefractors, AI-powered image analysis, and automated lens-fitting systems. While such tools can expedite diagnosis and standardize some procedures, nuanced interpretation and customization remain necessary for optimal patient care, limiting the potential for full automation. Tasks most resistant to automation include providing vision therapy and low-vision rehabilitation, prescribing therapeutic procedures to correct or conserve vision, and consulting with or referring patients to ophthalmologists or other health care practitioners when needed. These responsibilities require substantial interpersonal skills, medical judgement, and the ability to tailor interventions to each individual patient. The main bottleneck skills making optometry resistant to automation are related to originality—measured at 2.9% and 3.0%—reflecting the need for creative problem-solving and nuanced decision-making that current machines cannot replicate. This human-centered dimension ensures that, despite increasing technological support, optometrists' expertise will remain fundamental in the foreseeable future.