Eye care is full of images and measurements, which makes it look like a natural fit for AI. But an eye exam is a hands-on appointment with a patient, a set of instruments and a diagnosis someone has to stand behind.
The short answer: current evidence does not point to AI replacing optometrists. The ILO's 2025 index rates optometrists and ophthalmic opticians as not exposed to generative AI, at 0.24. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 10 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, partly because vision problems tend to occur more often later in life. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.
How exposed optometrists are
The International Labour Organization scores occupations' tasks from 0 (cannot be automated with generative AI) to 1 (could be done without a human operator), and groups them into gradients from 1 to 4, with 4 the most exposed; below them sit minimal exposure and not exposed (ILO Working Paper 140, 2025).
| Occupation (ISCO-08) | ILO category | Mean task score (0 to 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrists and Ophthalmic Opticians | Not exposed | 0.24 |
| Dispensing Opticians | Not exposed | 0.24 |
The ILO index measures generative AI, the kind that produces text and images. Image analysis software is a different kind of AI and is not what these scores capture.
What the BLS projects
| Occupation | Projected change 2025 to 2035 | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrists | Grow 10% | About 2,000 |
Besides an aging population, the BLS points to more nearsightedness, eye strain from electronic devices and rising diabetes rates as sources of demand.
Where AI is helping
- Flagging scans and images for a closer look.
- Drafting exam notes and referral letters.
- Scheduling, reminders and routine patient messages.
- Organizing records and test results over time.
What stays with the optometrist
- The exam: performing tests with the patient and interpreting them.
- Diagnosis and treatment: deciding what is wrong and what to prescribe, as a licensed professional.
- Checking AI: any flag or draft can be wrong, and NIST lists confabulation among generative AI risks (NIST AI 600-1). See checking AI output.
- Patients: explaining results and options in plain words.
How the job is changing
AI is most likely to take on paperwork and help sort images, while exams, diagnosis and patient care stay with the optometrist. This page describes the job market and is not medical advice; for questions about your eyes, see an eye care professional.
See also will AI replace doctors?, will AI replace radiologists?, will AI replace dentists? and will AI take my job?
Pay and how to get in
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual pay for optometrists at $136,570 in May 2025, against $50,980 for all workers. The typical education needed to enter is: doctoral or professional degree. See how this job compares in AI exposure by pay and AI exposure by education level.
Questions and answers
Will AI replace optometrists?
Not on current evidence. The ILO rates optometrists not exposed to generative AI (0.24), and the BLS projects 10 percent US growth from 2025 to 2035.
Why is optometrist employment projected to grow?
The BLS points to an aging population, more nearsightedness, eye strain from devices and rising diabetes rates.
How is AI used in eye care?
Mainly to help flag images for review and to handle notes, scheduling and records, with the optometrist making the decisions.
What optometrist work stays human?
Performing exams, diagnosing and treating, checking any AI output and explaining results to patients.