Bachelor of Optometry (B.Optom) is a four-year undergraduate degree programme that deals with eye and vision care. There are more than 100 government and private colleges in India that offer B.Optom degree programmes. The first three years of a B.Optom course are focused on the learning process and the fourth year is for the internship programme that provides students with practical knowledge.
Latest: Top B.Optom. Colleges in India
Don't Miss: Courses after 12th Commerce, Arts and Science
Recommended: Best Career Options after 12th Arts, Science & Commerce
Students who have completed 10+2 with PCB or PCM can apply for admission to the B.Optom programme. The average fee of the B.Optom degree programme can vary depending on the college, ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 9 lakhs. Some of the top colleges offering B.Opton in India are AIIMS, PGIMER Chandigarh, and JIPMER Puducherry.
The full form of B.Optom is Bachelor of Optometry. B.Optom degree focuses on every aspect related to understanding eye problems, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illnesses and diseases. Candidates who want to pursue a career as an Optician or Optometrist can pursue a Bachelor of Optometry.
Particulars | Values |
---|---|
Course Name | Bachelor of Optometry |
Type | Degree |
Level | Undergraduate |
Duration | Four years |
Eligibility Criteria | 10+2 with PCB or PCM with minimum 40 per cent marks |
Admission process | Entrance Exam |
B.Optom Course Fees | Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 9 lakhs |
Average Salary | Rs. 10 LPA |
Job profiles | Optometrist, Optician, Ophthalmologist |
Top recruiters | Essilor, Carl Zeiss, GKB, Government Eye Department, Lenskart, AIIMS, Centre For Sight |
The fees of B.Optom can vary based on the medical college or university to which students take admission. Before taking admission to a B.Optom college students should check the Bachelor of Optometry (B.Optom) fee structure.
B.Optom fees in private colleges range between Rs 1.50 lakhs and Rs 9 lakhs. The fees in government B.Optom colleges range between Rs 5,000 and Rs 1.50 lakhs.
Bachelor of Optometry is a specialised degree programme designed for candidates who want to pursue a career in the field of optometry. The degree provides numerous career opportunities. One can go into ocular research and explore new avenues of diagnosing, treating and curing eye conditions and diseases.
There are various specialities such as paediatric eye care, low vision, contact lenses, vision rehabilitation, ocular diseases, and individuals with special needs within the B.Optom. degree programme.
To be eligible for the B.Optom programme, candidates must meet the eligibility criteria defined by the respective universities. The common B.Optom eligibility criteria are mentioned below:
Candidates must have passed class 12 from a recognised board with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as the compulsory subjects.
Aspirants should have secured at least 40 per cent or above marks in the qualifying examination.
Some colleges provide direct admission to B.Optom degree programmes based on their 10+2 marks while other colleges conduct their entrance exams.
Candidates who want to pursue a B.Optom degree programme must possess certain skills. These skill sets can help them in their work setting and career growth. Some of the key skills required for B.Optom students are given below:
Admission to a B.Optom programme is offered based on previous academic performance. The B.Optom admission process varies depending on the institute. Some institutes also offer admission based on their entrance examinations.
Candidates must check the below-mentioned points to apply for admission to B.Optom course:
Candidates need to visit the official websites of their chosen universities
Candidates are required to fill in an application form by entering personal and academic details
After that, candidates need to pay the application fee to complete the admission process
The cut-off is used to determine the student's merit for admission to the B. Optom programme in various medical colleges. The cut-off is determined based on the number of students appearing for an entrance examination, and the difficulty level of the question paper.
The syllabus of a B. Optom programme is divided into six semesters covering a wide range subjects related to understanding the eye, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of illnesses and diseases. Below, we have discussed the year-wise B. Optom syllabus of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad University of Technology.
The B. Optom first-year syllabus covers theory and practical subjects such as Physiology, Biochemistry, and Geometrical Optics. The following table mentions the B. Optom first-year syllabus.
Semester I | Semester II |
---|---|
Theory | Theory |
Geometrical Optics (Optics I) | Physical Optics (Optics II |
Physiology (General) | Physiology (Ocular) |
Anatomy (General) | Anatomy (Ocular) |
Biochemistry (General & Ocular) | Environment & Ecology |
Professional Communication in English | Computer Fundamentals & Programming |
Practical | Practical |
Physiology (General) | Physical Optics II |
Geometrical Optics-1 | Anatomy (Ocular) |
Anatomy | Computer |
The B. Optom second-year syllabus is segregated into theory and practical subjects. In the table below, we have discussed the 2nd year subjects of B.Optom degree.
Semester III | Semester IV |
---|---|
Theory | Theory |
Visual Optics (Optics III) | Visual Optics (Optics IV) |
Lighting & the Eye | Ophthalmic & Optical Instrumentation & Procedure II |
Medical pathology & Microbiology (General & Ocular) | Clinical Refraction I |
Pharmacology | Ocular Disease I (Anterior Segment Disease) |
Ophthalmic & Optical Instrumentation & Procedure I | Ophthalmic Lens & Dispensing Optics |
Practical | Practical |
Microbiology & Pathology | Optics & Ophthalmic Instrumentation II |
Optical & Ophthalmic Instrumentation | Clinical Refraction Practical |
Lighting & the Eye | Ophthalmic Lens & Dispensing Optics Practical |
B. Optom third year syllabus covers a range of theory and practical subjects, like binocular vision, ocular motality, contact lens, clinical refraction, public health and community optometry. The table below mentions the third year B.Optom syllabus.
Semester V | Semester VI |
---|---|
Theory | Theory |
Binocular Vision & Ocular Motality | Systemic Condition & the eye |
Contact Lens I | Public Health & Community Optometry |
Clinical Refraction II | Biostatistics |
Ocular Disease II (Posterior & Neuro-eye Disease) | Contact Lens II |
Low Vision Aids & Visual Rehabilitation | Professional Practice Management |
Practical | Applied Optometry & Orthoptics |
Contact Lens -I | Practical |
Clinical Refraction II | Contact Lens-II |
Low Vision Aids & Visual Rehabilitation | Applied Optometry & Orthoptics |
Also Read:
The B. Optom degree is in itself a specialisation dealing with the specialised field of visual health and eye care. The profession afterwards focuses on regular care of vision along with eye contact and glass prescriptions.
With a course in specialisation, the aspirant gains specialised knowledge and this adds to the futuristic career opportunities. However, as eye health is not a confined concept but vast because the system is much interrelated, the following specialisations are offered sometimes:
Students can opt for employment or pursue further studies like master's and doctoral degrees after completing the B.Optom programme. Graduates can start private practice as optometrists or may get employed in government or private hospitals in the eye speciality wards as assistants as their experience will add value to their qualifications.
There are many industries where the production of optical products takes place and there is a requirement of experts for quality testing and even machine checks.
Other Popular Medical Degrees
There are numerous career options available for students after pursuing a B. Optom degree programme. Below, we have mentioned some of the career options for B.Optom graduates:
Optometrist: An Optometrist is a healthcare professional who checks the eyesight problem, prescribes patients with correct eye power and provides them with eyeglasses or contact lenses. He or she is a primary health care specialist who checks the ocular diseases or abnormalities and problems with general health.
Optician: An optician is an individual who manufactures and sells eyeglasses and contact lenses to treat eyesight problems. He or she does not check the eyesight or vision problem. Opticians make the eyeglasses following the prescriptions provided by the optometrists.
Ophthalmologist: An ophthalmologist is a trained eye specialist who specialises in both diagnosis and surgery of ocular diseases. He or she is a clinical or osteopathic specialist who focuses on the treatment of the eyes and eyesight.
Some of the top recruiters that hire B. Optom (Bachelor of Optometry) graduates are mentioned below:
The salary of B. Optom graduates depends upon their skills, degree and experience. In the table below, we have mentioned the salary of the B. Optom graduates.
Job Profiles | Average Salary |
---|---|
Optometrist | Rs. 3.3 LPA |
Optician | Rs. 7.0 LPA |
Ophthalmologist | Rs. 12.0 LPA |
Source: PayScale
Note: These salary figures may vary depending on various factors, such as designation, experience, skills, and job location.
B. Optom graduates can find various employment opportunities in diverse areas. They can join hospitals, other healthcare facilities, and universities. Some of the employment areas after B. Optom are mentioned below
There are a number of private B.Optom colleges in India. Private universities are significantly more expensive than public universities. Below, we have mentioned some of the top private B.Optom Colleges as well as B.Optom fees:
Colleges | Fees |
---|---|
- | |
APGSU Shimla - Alakh Prakash Goyal Shimla University, Shimla | Rs. 3.20 Lakhs |
Rs. 3.76 Lakhs | |
Rs. 4.52 Lakhs | |
ECMT Kolkata - Eminent College of Management and Technology, Barasat | Rs. 2.80 Lakhs |
Rs. 2.20 Lakhs | |
Kaziranga University Jorhat - The Assam Kaziranga University, Jorhat | Rs. 2.70 Lakhs |
MCHP Manipal - Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal | Rs. 6.36 Lakhs |
Rs. 6.46 Lakhs | |
Rs. 4.50 Lakhs |
Government colleges offering B.Optom courses are less expensive than the private colleges. Government colleges are popular for their high academic standards across India. The following are some of the best government B.Optom colleges and also B.Optom fees:
Colleges | Fees |
---|---|
Rs. 4,110 | |
Rs. 4,110 | |
- | |
- | |
- | |
- | |
- | |
- | |
- | |
Rs. 1.53 Lakhs |
Pursuing a B. Optom programme provides students with both clinical and theoretical aspects. The programme enables them to get an in-depth understanding and training to treat Glaucoma, Low Vision, Cornea, and Retina. After completing the B.Optom degree, graduates can pursue a career as Optometrists and can work in different settings including private practice, clinics, hospitals, and research institutions.
An optometrist or optometrist specialist can be defined as the primary eye care professional.
A person who has completed higher secondary education (class 12) from a recognized board with a minimum of 45 per cent or above marks may apply for B. Optom degree.
The minimum duration of B. Optom is four years with three years of education and one year of practical experience. The maximum duration shall depend upon the specific institute if they fix it to be six or seven years, as the case may be.
The total expenses for pursuing bachelor of optometry shall vary depending upon the institute where the course is to be pursued from. The amount of fees shall be higher for private institutions as compared to the government ones.
Hello Pankaj
B.Optom is bachelor of optometry .
For admission to this B .optometry course you will have to appear for entrance exam . Entrance exams are - TJEE , CUET ,KCET ,GUJCET ,GITAM GAT and IUET .
Eligibility criteria for the course is that you must have passed class xii in science stream with physics, chemistry and biology with minimum 50% marks .
After qualifying the entrance test you will be eligible for getting a seat for bachelor of optometry.
Optometry is a medical program that focuses on the regular vision care of thd patient while prescribing contact lens and glasses.
Course fees - 10,000 to 2 lakh
Duration- 4 years
Average salary- 4, to 5 lpa
Job opportunities- A bachelor of optometry can open his own optometry shop or center.
Can work in hospital
Optometrist
Optometry researcher
Vision care associate
Vision consultant
Private practioner
Colleges offering the b optometry course
Christian medical college
Sri Ramchandra Institute of higher education
SRM Institute of technology
Chitrakara university
Sharda university
Ansal university
Yes an Optometrist can use after OD programme.