<em><strong>Objective</strong><em> To identify whether the professional performance of graduates in optometry meets employer needs. <em><strong>Materials and methods</strong><em> The study used instruments of the National Association of Universities and Institutions of Higher Education (ANUIES), adapted for graduates and employers of optometrists. A list of graduates and information on their location was obtained from the Coordination of the department, in order to send them the survey. Employers were divided into four areas: optical shops, private clinics, eye clinics, and companies. This survey was sent by internet, and it was analyzed a month later. <em><strong>Results</strong><em> The graduates did not choose optometry as their first choice, and when they finished their studies, less than a third of them got a degree however, 90% immediately got a job in optical shops with less than fifteen employees and a salary of $10,000 (Mexican pesos) per month. Their job only consists of doing refraction and sales. Employers, although do not require, request specialized knowledge of optometrists. <em><strong>Conclusions</strong><em> In order to comprehensively treat a patient, graduates usually perform refraction, without elaborating on what they learned during their training. Optometry studies should link to companies with the purpose of engaging students in the work field. FESI and UNAM should promote courses and diploma courses in optometry so that their graduates participate in continuing education and provide better service to the population. Companies should be encouraged to hire graduates in optometry with a degree and professional license.

<em><strong>Objective</strong><em> To identify the professional and career expectations of Bachelor of Optometry students at the Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Mexico. <em><strong>Materials and methods</strong><em> The study was based on interviews that allowed to identify the expectations of students in their last semester of the Optometry program. Participating students were selected for convenience, i.e., three groups in their eighth semester were invited to participate in the research, and they had free choice and no obligations. <em><strong>Results</strong><em> The study showed that students are ignorant of the labor field and, therefore, their expectations are vague additionally, it evidenced the lack of vocational orientation in high school and the lack of guidance regarding their labor projection during the BA of Optometry program, or, worse, that they had low grade averages that did not allow them to study their first choice. <em><strong>Conclusions</strong><em> Students should be informed during the BA program about the labor field they will face and that their training will make a difference in patient care similarly, it is recommended for them to professionalize in order to stay updated, as well as to pursue graduate studies to develop scientific research.