How to become optometrist? How to get admission in the college?

In India, optometry courses are available in three main formats-

Certificate Courses

Diploma Courses

Bachelor’s Degree Courses

To work as a qualified Optometrist and achieve good career growth, pursuing Bachelor’s Degree courses will be beneficial. Let us check each course out and examine details about them in the next section-

OPTOMETRY COURSES IN INDIA

1 BACHELOR OF OPTOMETRY (B.OPTOM.)

Known as Bachelor of Optometry, Bachelor in Optometry or B.Optom., this is the most popular and valued optometry course available in India.It is a 4 years long UG Degree course. Academic program is 3 years long. After academic program has been completed, students have to go through 1 year long internship program. Only after completing the internship program will one be called a qualified Optometrist!

Eligibility criteria: Candidate should be at least 17 years of age at the time when the course starts. Candidate should have passed 10+2 Science stream with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English subjects. Minimum aggregate marks required is 45% (may vary from one institute to another).

Admission process: Admission is based on marks scored by candidates in board examination and EYECET/ relevant entrance tests. Few institutes also follow direct admission process.

2 B.SC. IN OPTOMETRY

It is a 4 years long UG level Bachelor of Science course. The academic program is 3 years long. The academic program is followed by 1 year long internship program. After completing the academic program, a student must complete the internship program. Only then will one get the Degree and be called a qualified Optometrist.

Eligibility criteria: Candidate should have passed 10+2 Science stream with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English subjects. Minimum aggregate marks required is 45% (may vary from one institute to another).

Admission process: Admission is based on marks scored by candidates in board examination and state entrance test/relevant entrance test. Few institutes also follow direct admission process. Some reputed institutes are known to have their own private entrance exam to select candidates.

Note: Students who have completed 2 years long Diploma in Optometry course may secure admission directly in 2nd year of B.Sc. Optometry program. This entry is known as the lateral entry.

3 DIPLOMA IN OPTOMETRY

It is a 2 years (3 years long in case of some institutes) long Diploma certificate program. D Opt holders may make use of lateral entry and join 2nd year of B.Optom. or B.Sc. Optometry courses. Though D Opt course is job oriented, pursuing Bachelor’s Degree courses mentioned above will help one climb up the career ladder in a better way!Many times, this course is also known as Ophthalmic Technology course.Eligibility criteria: Candidate should have passed 10+2 standard. Few institutes allow admission to 10th passed students too (3 years long course). Minimum aggregate marks required is 45% (may vary from one institute to another).

Admission process: Admission is based on marks scored by candidates in board examination. Few institutes also follow direct admission process.

4 CERTIFICATE COURSES

Though certificate courses are not very valuable, they will help one get technical and assistants’ jobs in sectors related to eye care. Typical certificate course lasts for a period of 1 year. 10+2 is the educational qualification required. Many institutes also offer certificate courses to 10th passed students.

SYLLABUS

Though course content may vary from one format to another, the core subjects remain the same. Let us take a look at some of the important subjects-

Ocular Anatomy

Ocular Physiology

Pharmacology

Hope,this information helpful for you.Goodluck.

Microbiology

Pathology

Visual Optics

Ocular Diseases and Conditions

Dispensing Optics

Optometry Instruments

Contact Lenses

Community Optometry

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