Optometry Courses: Fees 2025, Admission, Top Colleges, Distance Learning, Online

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

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.

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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.

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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?

Following are the top exams for Optometry. Students interested in pursuing a career on Optometry, generally take these important exams.You can also download the exam guide to get more insights.

Following are the most popular Optometry courses, based on alumni reviews. Explore these reviews to choose the best course in Optometry.

Following are the most popular Optometry Colleges in India. Learn more about these Optometry colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.

Following are the most popular Optometry UG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these UG Courses by clicking the links below.

Following are the most popular Optometry PG Courses . You can explore the top Colleges offering these PG Courses by clicking the links below.