Bachelor of Optometry

Last Updated on July 30, 2023 by Vishnu Nambiar

Hi readers! In this post, we will deal with a Bachelor’s Degree course that is related to optometry and its allied sectors. Here, we will have an in-depth analysis of Bachelor of Optometry course.

If you’ve passed 12th Science with PCB subjects, you are eligible to pursue this course. This course is also known by names such as – B Optom or B Opt.

 

In this post, you will find all the important details that you need to know about Bachelor of Optometry course. Here, I’ve covered the following details about this course – duration, eligibility criteria, colleges, admission process, fees, career prospects, scope and salary details.

 

Details, colleges, admission process, career prospects – everything that truly matters to B Optom aspirants have been included in this post. Both students and parents may use this guide as reference material.

 

Here is a quick overview of the academic program –

Name of the course	Bachelor of Optometry (B Optom)
Type of course	Bachelor’s Degree
Field	Optometry
Duration	4 years
Eligibility	Passed 12th Science with PCB subjects

 

It is evident from the above table that this is a Bachelor’s Degree course. Like most other Bachelor’s Degree programs, this course too is three years long. It has also been observed that this course brings with a one year long internship stint. Combined, the course duration thus becomes four years.

 

What is B Optom course all about? What is it like to become an optometrist? Will I get a good job after completing this course? You will find answers to these questions in the next section. Let us start –

 

Bachelor of Optometry: An Introduction

As I mentioned before, this is a Bachelor’s Degree course. This course revolves around optometry and its allied areas.

 

What is optometry, you may ask. Read on to know more –

 

What is optometry?

This discipline focuses on eye care. An optometrist is a healthcare professional capable of diagnosing eye diseases/vision problems, prescribing lenses/spectacles, performing treatment (in some cases) and referring patients to an Ophthalmologist/relevant Doctor (if required).

 

An optometrist is capable of diagnosis of ocular diseases. But he/she will have to refer the case to a qualified Doctor, if the patient needs surgery or advanced treatment. If the problem can be corrected by lenses, spectacles or minor treatment procedures, an optometrist may take care of the patient.

 

Is optometry and ophthalmology the same? What is the difference between an optometrist and ophthalmologist? You will find answers to these questions in the next section. Here we go –

 

Optometry vs Ophthalmology

Optometry and Ophthalmology deals with eye care, but Ophthalmologists are eye Doctors (specializing in eye care after completing MBBS)! On the other hand, optometrists are not considered as eye Doctors!

 

B Optom curriculum and topics covered

The curriculum covers all the important aspects related to optometry and its allied areas. B Optom students are trained in areas such as – eye testing techniques, relevant equipment, patient education, diseases/disorders/conditions/injuries of eyes and visual system, spectacles and contact lenses (evaluation, dispensing, prescribing etc), vision care practices etc.

 

Important tasks performed by an optometrist

An optometrist is a professional who has been trained in different areas of optometry and its allied areas. Thanks to this training, he/she possesses a specific set of skills and knowledge.

 

Using his/her set of skills and knowledge, an optometrist is capable of carrying out different tasks associated with eye care. He/she may work independently (on certain job posts/roles) or under the supervision of ophthalmologists.

 

Examining eyes and dispensing spectacles form an important part of their job. But their job is not just limited to these tasks! An optometrist is capable of carrying out the following tasks –

• Examining eyes and visual system
• Diagnosing diseases, disorders and conditions of visual system
• Prescribe and dispense spectacles and contact lens
• Patient care
• Referring patients to ophthalmologists
• Assist ophthalmologists
• And more…

 

Come, let us take a closer look at the course details. In the next section, you will find the following details – duration, eligibility, fees, colleges and syllabus. Here we go –

 

Course Details

 

Type of course

It is a Bachelor’s Degree course.

 

Duration

The course is generally four years long. The academic program is three years long and it is followed by an internship program that is one year long. Course duration may vary slightly from one institute to another.

 

Eligibility Criteria

The minimum educational qualification required to pursue this course is – completed 12th Science with PCB subjects from a recognized board.

 

Syllabus

Here are some of the important subjects present in the curriculum –

• Anatomy
• Biochemistry
• Physiology
• Visual system
• Optics
• Microbiology
• Pharmacology
• Visual optics
• Optometry
• Prescribing and dispensing optics
• Contact lenses
• Communication skills
• Practical training
• Relevant equipment

 

Colleges

Here are some of the popular colleges offering this course in India –

• GTU
• ITM, Vadodara
• Parul University
• SU
• VNSGU

 

Fees

Tuition fees depends upon the following factors – type of college (Government or self-financing), scholarship status of the student, rating of the college etc. On an average, tuition fees could be anywhere between 40-100K INR per year. Government colleges are known to charge very low fees.

 

Admission process

In order to secure admission into a good college, one must crack relevant entrance exams. These exams are carried out to facilitate merit based admission process. State, College and National levels – these exams are carried out at the following levels.

 

Under merit based admission process, seats are distributed among deserving candidates on the basis of their performance in relevant entrance exam and/or board exam. Some colleges are also known to carry out direct and donation based admission process.

 

You may also check –

Medical courses

Paramedical courses

 

PG courses

After completing B Optom course, graduates may go for relevant PG courses such as – M.Sc. Optometry, Master of Optometry or PG Diploma (Optometry) programs. Apart from them, graduates may also go for non-optometry courses such as – MBA and PGDM programs. You may also check – Bachelor of Occupational Therapy.

 

Career prospects

Optometrists have access to different types of job profiles and opportunities. They may work independently or under qualified ophthalmologists. They are usually hired by – eye care clinics, hospitals, eye care stores etc. They may even start their own eye care store and dispense spectacles and contact lenses.

 

Salary

Starting salary depends upon factors such as – job location, profile of the employer, academic qualification of the candidate, academic performance of the candidate etc. On an average, starting salary could be anywhere between 25-40K INR per month.