Optometrists are healthcare professionals who examine eyes for vision problems and other issues. They can provide prescription for glasses and lenses. They are not medical doctors but can prescribe medications for eye related issues. Optometrists generally refer patients to opthalmologists in serious cases.
Personal Competencies
You like to help others
You are comfortable in communicating with others
You pay attention to details while working
You are good with gadgets
Entry Pathway
1. Complete 10+2 in the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
2. Complete a Bachelor’s degree (B.Optom/B.Sc.) in Optometry
OR
Complete a Bachelor’s degree followed by a Master’s degree (M.Optom/M.Sc.) in the same field.
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment
Where will you study?
The course is offered by the Department of Optometry. This list of institutes is indicative only
Government Institutes 1. All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi 2. All India Institute of Medical Sciences Rishikesh 3. Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur 4. Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh 5. Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna 6. Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai 7. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University, Lucknow 8. Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University, New Delhi
Private Institutes (Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited with UGC and OCI before applying) 1. Amity University, Gurugram 2. Chandigarh University, Chandigarh 3. Chitkara University, Patiala 4. Galgotias University, Greater Noida 5. Institute of Management Study, Kolkata 6. The Assam Kaziranga University, Jorhat 7. Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal 8. Maharishi Markandeshwar Deemed to be University, Haryana
The approx. course fee ranges between INR 12,000 - 2,04,000* for the full course
*(The above mentioned figures are approximate numbers. This will vary from Institute to Institute)
Scholarships & Loans
SCHOLARSHIPS
• National Scholarship Portal - Visit http://www.scholarships.gov.in. Under this portal there are Central Government schemes offered by different departments, UGC/AICTE Schemes and State Schemes* • Visit http://www.buddy4study.com for details on available scholarships. This is a gateway to scholarships starting from Class XI* • Scholarships are also made available in institutes based on merit*
*(Availability of these scholarships can vary from time to time)
LOANS
• VidyaLakshmi, http://www.vidyalakshmi.co.in, is a portal for students seeking education loan. This portal has been developed under the guidance of the Department of Financial Services, (Ministry of Finance), Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Human Resource Development) and Indian Banks Association (IBA) • Some states have student credit cards with low interest rates, for instance, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, etc. • All banks give education loans
Where will you work?
Places of Work: You can work in Eye Hospitals, Eye Clinics and Glasses and Lens stores
Entrepreneurship: You can also set up your own private practice
Work Environment: If you work in a clinic, the timings are 6 to 7 days a week for 8 to 9 hours per day. Shift system might be available
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field
Jameel H Rizwana is the President of Optometric Association of Tamil Nanbargal (OATN). She was also a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. She has completed her M.Phil and Ph.D in Optometry and has become the first Indian to be awarded the prestigious Fellowship from the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (FCOVD), USA. She is now the head of the Rivoli Vision Academy.*
Optometrist
NCS Code: 3254.0100 | HW0181. Complete 10+2 in the Science stream (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
2. Complete a Bachelor’s degree (B.Optom/B.Sc.) in Optometry
OR
Complete a Bachelor’s degree followed by a Master’s degree (M.Optom/M.Sc.) in the same field.
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment
The course is offered by the Department of Optometry.
This list of institutes is indicative only
Government Institutes
1. All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi
2. All India Institute of Medical Sciences Rishikesh
3. Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur
4. Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh
5. Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna
6. Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences, Saifai
7. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical University, Lucknow
8. Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University, New Delhi
Private Institutes
(Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited with UGC and OCI before applying)
1. Amity University, Gurugram
2. Chandigarh University, Chandigarh
3. Chitkara University, Patiala
4. Galgotias University, Greater Noida
5. Institute of Management Study, Kolkata
6. The Assam Kaziranga University, Jorhat
7. Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal
8. Maharishi Markandeshwar Deemed to be University, Haryana
Information on Institute rankings is available at - https://www.nirfindia.org/2022/Ranking.html
Distance Learning Institute
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
Online Course
Udemy - https://www.udemy.com/course/diploma-in-optometry/
The approx. course fee ranges between INR 12,000 - 2,04,000* for the full course
*(The above mentioned figures are approximate numbers. This will vary from Institute to Institute)
SCHOLARSHIPS
• National Scholarship Portal - Visit http://www.scholarships.gov.in. Under this portal there are Central Government schemes offered by different departments, UGC/AICTE Schemes and State Schemes*
• Visit http://www.buddy4study.com for details on available scholarships. This is a gateway to scholarships starting from Class XI*
• Scholarships are also made available in institutes based on merit*
*(Availability of these scholarships can vary from time to time)
LOANS
• VidyaLakshmi, http://www.vidyalakshmi.co.in, is a portal for students seeking education loan. This portal has been developed under the guidance of the Department of Financial Services, (Ministry of Finance), Department of Higher Education (Ministry of Human Resource Development) and Indian Banks Association (IBA)
• Some states have student credit cards with low interest rates, for instance, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, etc.
• All banks give education loans
Places of Work: You can work in Eye Hospitals, Eye Clinics and Glasses and Lens stores
Entrepreneurship: You can also set up your own private practice
Work Environment: If you work in a clinic, the timings are 6 to 7 days a week for 8 to 9 hours per day. Shift system might be available
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field
Junior Optometrist → Optometrist → Senior Optometrist
The approx. salary of an Optometrist ranges between INR 12,167-52,000* month
Source - https://www.payscale.com/research/IN/Job=Optometrist/Salary
*These figures are indicative and subject to change
Experts from the field
Jameel H Rizwana is the President of Optometric Association of Tamil Nanbargal (OATN). She was also a fellow of the American Academy of Optometry. She has completed her M.Phil and Ph.D in Optometry and has become the first Indian to be awarded the prestigious Fellowship from the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (FCOVD), USA. She is now the head of the Rivoli Vision Academy.*
Source - https://www.oepf.org/oepf-course/non-strabismic-binocular-vision-anomalies-with-dr-jameel-rizwana-hussaind/
*The above information is for training purposes only and will not be used for any commercial gains
optician, optometrist, optometry