AIIMS Delhi
- Fees: ₹ 4,105
Optometry
Degrees offered: B.E /B.Tech, B.Optom, B.Sc., B.Sc.(Hons), B.Voc., BS, Diploma
What is Optometry
Optometry is the healthcare profession that comprises the examination of eyes and visual systems for disorders and abnormalities (eye disease). Optometry is a good course and a rewarding career with several career options. An optometrist is not a medical doctor but takes care of the vision from sight testing, correction, diagnosis to treatment. Different specialties and areas of interest like geriatric eye care, pediatric eye care, low vision, vision rehabilitation, contact lenses, and ocular disease. Optometry has a wide and unlimited scope. The career is challenging, and students can achieve personal growth, job satisfaction and success.
The demand for the profession will rise to 3.2 per cent between 2015-2025. Many universities in India are offering diploma, bachelor, master and PhD courses in optometry. After an optometry degree, you can establish careers as optometrist, opticians and ophthalmologists.
Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Optometry
Undergraduate Level
Bachelor of Optometry is a four year undergraduate degree pursued by eligible candidates who satisfy the following requirements.
Minimum qualification required is the completion of 10+2 from a recognised board with science as the stream.
The minimum pass percentage is 45 per cent and 17 years or more is the age requirement.
University level entrance exams are conducted for candidates to participate.
After the entrance exams, universities and colleges will release lists containing the names of candidates with their respective ranks.
Based on the ranks and scores further selection process like interview/group discussion takes place.
The overall performance of the candidate is taken into consideration, and admissions are granted for Optometry.
Postgraduate Level
Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in optometry with a minimum score of 50 per cent from a recognised institution.
Admission for some universities depends upon the candidate’s performance in the entrance exam.
Sometimes the selection process varies from university to university and many colleges.
Entrance Exams for Optometry
BVP EYECET: EYECET is an entrance exam conducted by Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University to offer admissions to Bachelor of Clinical Optometry course. Eye Common Entrance Exam is conducted every year offline for 3 hours. The exam is for 200 marks, and there is no negative marking for incorrect answers. Qualifying candidates are given admission to the Optometry course.
INI CET: All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Delhi conducts the Institute of National Importance Combined Entrance Test or INI CET for courses like optometry. The applications are available online from December to January. The exam is offline. Candidates must have 50 per cent marks in 10 +2 equivalents to appear in AIIMS.
| INI CET Counselling | INI CET Exam Date |
| INI CET Admit Card | INI CET Result |
NEET: National Eligibility Entrance Test is conducted by the NTA for admissions to MBBS courses. NEET scores are accepted by colleges for admission.
| NEET Eligibility Criteria | NEET Exam Dates |
| NEET Admit Card | NEET Syllabus |
| NEET Exam Pattern | NEET Result |
| NEET Cut off | NEET Preparation Tips |
| NEET Application Form | NEET Answer Key |
JNUEE: Jawaharlal Nehru University conducts entrance exams for aspirants who want to opt for optometry course. The mode of exam is online, and the duration is three hours. This university level examination is conducted to grant admission for both Undergraduate, Postgraduate as well as PhD courses.
| JNU Exam Dates | JNU Admit Card |
| JNU Syllabus | JNU Seat Allocation Result |
| JNU Cut Off | JNU Eligibility Criteria |
| JNU Application Form | JNU Counselling |
College Predictors VIEW ALL
Scope of Optometry in India and Abroad
Students who are friendly and possess a caring personality are a good match because it is easier to communicate with patients and give confidence to them. Good organisers and administrators are suitable. Exceptional memory is an advantage it helps in recollecting details about eye conditions and diseases.
After completion of the course, candidates gain the confidence to provide service to the optical field. Candidates also get to work with the vision can team of the hospital consisting of ophthalmologists and optometrists to prevent blindness. Various medical areas employ optometrists for various job positions. The career opportunities for optometry are wide in India and abroad. Higher studies in optometry can yield you a post-secondary teacher’s job; private clinics can also be set up by interested optometrists.
Course Fees Optometry
| Minimum Fees | Maximum Fees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private | Government | Private | Government | |
| UG |
11.22 K
B.Voc. in Optometry at MES Keveeyam College, Malappuram
|
4.11 K
B.Optom in Optometry at All India Institute of Medical Sciences Rishikesh
|
8.00 Lakhs
B.Optom in Optometry at Gopal Narayan Singh University, Rohtas
|
1.53 Lakhs
B.Optom in Optometry at Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University, New Delhi
|
| PG |
55.20 K
M.Sc. in Optometry at SunRise University, Alwar
|
2.69 Lakhs
M.Optom in Optometry at University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
|
6.10 Lakhs
M.Optom in Optometry at Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal
|
2.69 Lakhs
M.Optom in Optometry at University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
|
| DOCTORAL |
90.00 K
Ph.D in Optometry at NIMS University, Jaipur
|
---
Data not available
|
3.00 Lakhs
Ph.D in Optometry at NIMS College of Paramedical Technology, NIMS University, Jaipur
|
---
Data not available
|
| DIPLOMA |
45.00 K
Diploma in Optometry at SCPM College of Nursing and Paramedical Science, Gonda
|
10.50 K
Diploma in Optometry at Government Medical College, Kottayam
|
2.40 Lakhs
Diploma in Optometry at Mewar University, Chittorgarh
|
10.50 K
Diploma in Optometry at Government Medical College, Kottayam
|
Course Subjects
Undergraduate optometry courses are three or four-year courses. Some of the subjects in bachelor of optometry are,
| Human Anatomy and Physiology | Visual Optics |
| Basic Biochemistry | Optometric Instruments |
| Ophthalmic Optics | Mechanical Optics |
| Ocular Microbiology | Geriatric Optometry |
| Optic Dispensation | Pediatric Ophthalmology |
The fourth year in bachelor of optometry is dedicated for internships only. Masters in optometry is for two years and includes eye-related structures as well as vision, visual systems, and visual processing in humans. Some of the subjects in postgraduate studies for reference,
| Low vision & Rehabilitation | Advanced contact lens studies |
| Clinical Imaging | Ocular diseases and therapeutics |
| Dissertation | - |
Careers in Optometry
After an optometry degree, you can make your career as optometrists and ophthalmologists. Ophthalmologists, optometrists and opticians play a prime role in providing eye care to patients. Optometrists also work as post-secondary teachers, consultants in eye care departments, research in optometry colleges. Also, they can build a career in sports vision, public health, government and private services. An optometrist can become a solo practitioner or part of a medical group. As an ophthalmologist one can work as a public health employee, a professor in medical universities and employee in a clinic, and hospital.
Upcoming trends
- Increased Number of Women in Optometry
In 2017, only 38 per cent of women were optometrists. Today, from 65 per cent to 70 per cent of optometry students are women. Although 75 per cent of optometrists are men, the number of women in optometry is expected to grow. Women will grow into skilled optometrists and practice owners.
- Social Media
A positive review from your clients can help Google recognise your services and your reliability, thus increasing your position during a search.
- Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is an emerging trend that makes screening, diagnosing and treating eye conditions precisely. The technology is also used in online search engines, speech recognition tools and other smart devices. Now, AI is useful in healthcare too.
- Google’s DeepMind AI Platform
This AI technology is currently being developed to review OCT scans. Diagnostic accuracy has already improved, and 50 ocular diseases can be found diagnosed accurately. Over 90 per cent of cases of ocular diseases were accurately diagnosed by DeepMind.
Job Profiles and Top Recruiters
Optometry Job Profiles
One of the most challenging professions in healthcare is optometry. On the dot diagnosis of hidden health care problems and prescription of contact lenses to enhance vision are done by optometrists. The students can find employment in eye care clinics, eye care departments, optical showrooms, and lens manufacturing units. Demand for these professionals is huge.
Job Profile | Job Description |
Independent primary healthcare professionals specialised in eye care and visual systems. Prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses. | |
A physician who specialises in the surgical and medical care of eye and vision. Complete eye care services are offered by them. | |
Lecturers teach students studying in undergraduate and postgraduate optometry courses. | |
Research associates prepare articles, reports and presentations as instructed by the supervisor or project assigned. Administrative duties are carried out by research associates. | |
Uses a prescription that is written by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. A technician designed to make glasses, lens and frames for eyes. | |
Vision Consultant | Manage the day to day patient’s daycare services. |
General Practice Doctor | Responds to a patient's health problems by referring to their history and carrying out a diagnosis. |
Top Recruiters
Optometry professionals find jobs in lens industries or hospitals. Some of the top recruiters for optometry are,
| Essilor | Private Clinics |
| Carl Zeiss | Indian Red Cross Society |
| GKB | Indian Nursing Council |
| Government Eye Department | Kailash Hospital |
| Lenskart | Metro Hospital |
| Ophthalmic Lens Industry | Shroff Eye Hospital |
| Private Eye Department | AIIMS |
Average Salary
Salary is the fundamental thing students get to check before choosing a career in that domain. The average salaries of good job profiles in optometry are given for reference.
Job Profile | Salary |
Optometrist | Rs. 3-5 lakh p.a. (Approx.) |
Vision Consultant | Rs. 2-3 lakh p.a. (Approx.) |
Ophthalmologist | Rs. 7-12 lakh p.a. (Approx.) |
Dispensing Optician | Rs. 4-6 lakh p.a. (Approx.) |
General Practice Doctor | Rs. 6-9 lakh p.a. (Approx.) |
Eye Doctor | Rs. 3-12 lakh p.a. (Approx.) |
Professor | Rs. 3-5 lakh p.a. (Approx.) |
Required Skillset for Optometry
- Active Listening: The primary requirement for an ophthalmologist is listening. It is essential to understand patients and respond to it with proper treatment and medications. Detailed eyesight is necessary to meticulously detect the defect in the eye.
- Verbal Communication: Communication skills are needed in Optometry to converse clearly with your patients. Outstanding speaking skills make it possible.
- Interpersonal Skills and Critical Thinking: Instructing patients and persuading them after noticing their actions can be done only with strong interpersonal skills. Identifying problems and solving them needs critical thinking/problem-solving skills.
- Service Mindedness: An interest in the health and welfare of others and desire to elevate people’s lives is essential. An optometrist has to be concentrated when performing many tasks. Well organised behaviour, being adaptable to new changes, equipment, and techniques is needed. Must possess the ability to work with nervous patients with ease.
- Learning: Active learning involves knowing, which is important for workers in this profession. Learning cannot go without effective communication in a career like an optometrist. Active learning increases the number of practitioners who embrace emerging technologies. It is an important skill for every sphere.
- Supervisory Skills: Supervisory skills prevent injuries and mishaps, which causes serious injury to the career of an optometrist. A supervisor allows team members to work effectively with less pressure and constructs confidence to finish the task. Monitoring yourself and the others make significant changes in the work.
Course Curriculum for Optometry
The curriculum of optometry is designed to help students understand the refractive conditions of a human eye, visual aids, prescription of glasses and contact lenses, and other services. The 4-year degree shapes an individual to assist the specialist in various procedures.
Three years of education and one year of internship is the way the optometry curriculum works. It helps the students to diagnose the infections in the eye and treat them. Topics like optics, anatomy, and physiology are involved in the course. Skills to be friendly with people and handling modern machines are taught. Information regarding the manufacturing and production of contact lenses and spectacles are also included in optometry.
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Popular Optometry Entrance Exams in India
SRMJEEE
Application Process: 05 Jun, 2023
Popular Optometry Colleges in India VIEW ALL
Chandigarh University
- Fees: ₹ 452,000
- Exams: Chandigarh University (CUCET)
Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi
- Fees: ₹ 450,000
University of Hyderabad
- Fees: ₹ 268,620
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: Explain the employment shifts of an optometrist.
Answer :
Optometrist works in offices of optometry. Optometrists mostly have to work full time and in evenings. Sometimes the work is on weekends according to the patient’s needs. They also can work in doctors’ offices, optical good stores and some are already self-employed.
Question: What are the types of jobs for an optometrist?
Answer :
Optician is of two types: dispensing optician sells eyeglasses to the public and manufacturing optician makes eyeglasses. Optometrists administer eye tests and diagnosis problems. An ophthalmologist performs eye surgery with a license. Orthoptists focus on problems that affect the eyes. Defects like binocular vision and depth perception. They assist ophthalmologists in surgeries.
Question: What can I do with an optometry degree?
Answer :
There are more career paths in optometry than people think. Majority of optometrists are involved in clinical practices, working in government or private sectors. There is a wide spectrum of opportunities abroad for optometrists. Job profiles are different and numerous for an optometry graduate.
Question: Is it hard to study optometry?
Answer :
Optometry course is not as difficult as medical school, it’s just focusing on the eyes and issues related to it. Optometry is learning about the eyes only whereas medical school teaches about the whole body.
Question: What is the difference between optometrist and ophthalmologist?
Answer :
Optometrists carry out eye tests and come to aid when you think of an eye doctor. They prescribe glasses or contact lenses for patients. Optometrists diagnose eye diseases and problems. An ophthalmologist is an eye doctor who is licensed to perform eye surgery.
Question: Is optometry a good option for a career?
Answer :
Optometry is a great career choice because it offers job satisfaction and respect in society. It gives them opportunities to help others and grow. For women, the job is too rewarding and satisfactory.
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