Optometry Courses: Fees 2023, Admission, Top Colleges, Distance Learning, Online
Parul ThapaSenior Executive Content
Optometry course is offered at multiple levels and modes for students who are interested in pursuing a specialised discipline that deals with comprehensive eye care. Optometry is considered to be a paramedical course and is offered at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate levels. The Optometry course can be pursued in not only full-time classroom mode, but there are several institutes that offer certificate courses and in distance learning mode. The duration of undergraduate Optometry courses is four years and that of the postgraduate level is two years.
- Optometry Courses Offered at Undergraduate Level
- 1.1 Optometry Degree Courses
- 1.2 Optometry Diploma Courses
- 1.3 Optometry Distance Education Courses
- Optometry Courses Offered at Postgraduate Level
- 2.1 Optometry Degree Courses at PG Level
- 2.2 Optometry Diploma Courses at PG Level
- Optometry Certificate Courses
- Optometry Courses at Doctorate Courses
- Specialisations Offered at Optometry Courses
- Upcoming Trends in Optometry Courses
- FAQs Regarding Optometry Course
Optometry Courses Offered at Undergraduate Level
The Optometry courses offered at the undergraduate level can be further segregated into a degree, diploma and online or distance learning courses.
Optometry Degree Courses
The list of Optometry undergraduate degree courses, along with their duration is given in the table below.
Course Name |
Duration |
---|---|
BSc in Optometry |
Four years |
Bachelor of Optometry |
Four years |
Optometry Diploma Courses
The Diploma in Optometry is offered at an undergraduate level for a duration of three years. The eligibility criteria require a pass in Class 10 and Class 12 in Science stream, with Biology as a compulsory subject.
Optometry Distance Education Courses
The Bachelor’s degree programme in Optometry is also offered in Distance learning mode at various institutes. The duration of the Optometry course in Distance learning mode is three years, which is divided into six semesters. After the completion of the three-year course, it is mandatory to attend one-year training programme.
The pedagogy of the Distance learning course is a combination of online courses, dispatching study materials by post and appearing for the exams at the institutes or designated centres. Candidates can connect with the faculty members via telephone or email to get any of their course curriculum-related doubts or queries.
Optometry Courses Offered at Postgraduate Level
The postgraduate level Optometry courses are offered in degree, diploma, distance and certificate modes. Let us review each of these course types in terms of nomenclature and duration.
Optometry Degree Courses at PG Level
There are two types of Optometry degree courses at the postgraduate level. The names and the duration are given in the table below:
Course Name |
Duration |
---|---|
MSc in Optometry |
Two years |
Master of Optometry (MOPTM) |
Two years |
Optometry Diploma Courses at PG Level
Postgraduate Diploma courses in Optometry are offered for a duration of 18 months to two years, divided into three to four semesters. The pedagogy involves both classroom learning as well as hands-on training. Students are evaluated based on written tests as well as practical exams. Students are taught core subjects as well as elective subjects.
Optometry Certificate Courses
There are a number of certifications offered for Optometry courses. The duration of the courses vary from one hour to six months. The Optometry Certificate courses are offered to students who have an undergraduate degree or diploma in Optometry. Professional optometrists who want to upskill their knowledge and expertise in the field can opt for the Optometry Certificate courses.
The Optometry Certificate courses are mostly offered in an online mode and the course content is divided across modules. After the completion of each module, students have to take a test to get their learning evaluated. Unlike full-time courses, the certifications do not involve practical lessons.
Optometry Courses at Doctorate Courses
After completing postgraduation in Optometry, students may opt for a doctorate or PhD in Optometry. Prior to pursuing a PhD, they may also opt for MPhil in Optometry. The duration of the MPhil course is one to two years. On the other hand, the PhD course duration ranges from three to four years. The course can be pursued in either full-time or part-time mode. Based on this, the total duration would vary.
A doctorate in Optometry course is the highest degree to earn. The course curriculum involves research, training, and being equipped with prescribing medicines and performing surgeries on eyes or optical organs to treat optical ailments or improvement of vision. After completing a PhD in Optometry or becoming a Doctorate in Optometry, the students or professionals also become qualified to become academicians or professors.
Specialisations Offered at Optometry Courses
Optometry as a course has a vast scope. There are a number of specialisations one can opt for and build a career in it. Some of the popular Optometry course specialisations are as follows:
-
Behavioural Optometry
-
Geriatric Optometry
-
Low Vision Therapy
-
Neuro-Optometry
-
Pediatric Optometry
-
Ophthalmic Technology
-
Contact Lenses
-
Sports Vision
-
Ocular Vision
Upcoming Trends in Optometry Courses
Optometry is a dynamic field which is constantly transforming and bringing in better methods and processes to improve vision. Research has been a constant in this field which has led to the blending of technology with the subject to improve vision care. Gone are the days when those with vision ailments had to make spectacles or glasses as their constant companion. The latest Optometry advances have not only led to the invention of advanced lenses, but with different surgical or other procedures, it is even possible to reverse the optical power or other ailments completely.
Optometrists and researchers are constantly endeavouring to utilise the latest technologies to improve the following aspects:
-
Introducing different types of lenses (contact lenses as well as spectacles) to cater to patients with complicated powers.
-
Optometry is being diversified and is worked upon in close coordination with related disciplines such as Ophthalmology, Physics, Computer Science, etc.
-
Optometry as a discipline is deploying technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT), among others.
FAQs Regarding Optometry Course
Q: What are the different Optometry courses offered?
Q What are the eligibility criteria for studying Optometry?
Q: Is it mandatory to study Mathematics to be eligible for Optometry course?
Q: Will BSc Optometry students be called doctors after completing the course?
Q: Does Optometry require NEET?
Q: What is the difference between BSc Optometry and BOPT?
Q: What is the duration of the Optometry courses?
Q: Which are the top colleges offering Optometry courses?
Q: What are the options after completing BSc in Optometry?
Q: Can I study Masters in Optometry without study Bachelors in Optometry?
Q: What are the different job profiles I can pursue after completing Optometry course?
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Most Popular Courses
Popular Courses
- Bachelor of Optometry (BOPTM)Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana
- B.Sc. in OptometryPt. Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences
- Bachelor of Optometry (B.Optm.)SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre
- Bachelor of Optometry (B.Optom.)Chandigarh University (CU)
- Bachelor of OptometryAmity University, Gurugram
- Bachelor of Optometry (B.Optom.)NSHM Institute of Health Sciences, NSHM Knowledge Campus - Kolkata Campus
- B.Sc. in OptometryCenturion University of Technology and Management, Bhubaneswar Campus
- Bachelor of Optometry (BOPTM)Brainware University
- Bachelor in Optometry (B.Optom.)Sanskriti University
- Bachelor of Optometry (B.Optom.)NSHM Institute of Health Sciences, Durgapur
Popular Optometry Colleges in India
Popular Private Optometry Colleges in India
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Popular Optometry UG Courses
UG Courses
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Popular Optometry PG Courses
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News & Updates
Student Forum
Answered 5 days ago
Challenging, I would say both are good careers with their advantages and disadvantages.
Broadly, both are primary autonomous healthcare professions, both provide diagnostic decision making and management of patient problems, and both have significant patient interaction. Academically both profession
S
Contributor-Level 6
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, you can open your clinic after completing a BSc in Optometry. With this qualification, you are equipped to provide comprehensive eye care services, including vision tests and corrective lens prescriptions. However, it is essential to comply with local licensing and regulatory requirements, whic
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Yes, a Master’s in Optometry is available and it can be a fantastic path if you want to specialisation in eye care and vision science. In my opinion, it’s a great choice if you’re focusing on deepening your skills in clinical practice or research.
Key Points:
Duration: usually 2 years.
Eligibility: A B
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
BSc in Optometry programs typically include physics courses that cover topics relevant to optics and vision science. Physics is essential for understanding the principles of light, lenses, and their applications in optometric practice. If you struggle with physics, you may need to dedicate extra tim
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
No, you cannot perform surgery after completing a BSc in Optometry. Optometrists are trained to provide comprehensive eye care, including vision testing, prescribing corrective lenses, and diagnosing certain eye conditions, but they are not qualified to perform surgical procedures.
Eye surgeries are
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
B Pharmacy is the study of pharmaceutical sciences, including the development, production, and dispensing of medications.
On the other hand, a BSc in Optometry is the study of eye care, vision science, and the diagnosis and treatment of visual disorders.
If candidates are more interested in medication
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
No, Optometry is not under MBBS. Optometry is a distinct field of healthcare focused on the examination, diagnosis, and treatment of vision problems and eye disorders.
It involves the study of optics, visual science, and eye health, and optometrists are trained to prescribe corrective lenses, detect
P
Contributor-Level 10
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