Celebrate National Eye Exam Month and explore VA optometrist careers

With the arrival of August, it’s also National Eye Exam Month, which is a great time for people of all ages to schedule routine eye exams. It’s also a great time to recognize the pivotal role optometrists play in preserving optimal vision for our Veterans.

“I feel like when a lot of people think ‘optometrist,’ they think that we just focus on glasses or contact lenses,” said Dr. Patricia Kranz, a VA optometrist in Columbia, South Carolina. “But we do a lot more than that.”

As a trained eye care specialist, an optometrist may also perform diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative procedures. Kranz noted that you can work in primary care, ocular disease, emergency care or even eye trauma, as well as evaluating for issues like diabetes or high blood pressure.

For students studying to become an optometrist, VA is also a great place to learn the ropes.  

“During my fourth year of optometry school, I did a rotation at VA, and that’s when I knew I wanted to select VA optometry as a career. I’ve found the optometry practice here places a heavy focus on treating diseases, and it’s very gratifying to help patients alleviate their problems,” said Dr. Daniel Shea of Bay Pines VA.

Work at VA

To learn more about the work optometrists do at VA, and to enjoy some vision-related puns, visit VA Careers now.