OPTOMETRY

Introduction
Ophthalmic Optics is a science, which deals with the structure, function and working of the human eye. Popularly known as Optometry, this health care profession is concerned with examination, diagnosis and treatment of eyes, specially related to visual, optical symptoms, refractive errors and their correction, using lenses and other optical aids. The scope for optometric practice in India and abroad is great and unlimited. It is a dynamic and challenging career which could achieve personal growth, community respect and offers job flexibility, financial success and unlimited opportunities.

Optometrists or optometric physicians are primary eye care and health professionals concerned with vision care. They are experts in determining one's refractive error and prescribing appropriate correction. They deal with vision screening (eye testing), diagnosis of visual problems, orthoptics and vision training, optometric counseling of patients with partial sight, colour blindness and hereditary vision defects, and designing and fitting of spectacles, contact lens and low vision aids. They also prescribe Vision therapy eye exercises to patients complaining of Visual symptoms such as squint etc.

Though Optometry goes hand in hand with Ophthalmology in treatment of Visual disorders, Optometrists should not be confused with ophthalmologists or dispensing opticians. An optometrist performs all the tasks of an ophthalmologist, short of surgery. Ophthalmologists (Eye M.D's) are trained physicians specialized in eye and vision care who perform eye surgery, as well as diagnose and treat eye diseases and injuries.

Eligibility : To practice as a optometrist it is essential to have a Bachelor's degree in Optometry

Students who wish to do degree or diploma courses in Ophthalmic technology should clear 10+2 or equivalent examination, with a minimum of 50% marks in physics, chemistry and biology.

To practice as a optometrist it is essential to have a Bachelor's degree in Optometry (Bachelor of Clinical Optometry) (B.Optom). Eligibility for B.Optom course is Higher Secondary Examination (10+2 course) or it's equivalent with minimum 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Biology or Mathematics and English, from a recognised board and the age limit is 17 years as on 31st December. Candidates satisfying the eligibility requirement for the B.Optom course have to appear for the EYECET examination. The EYECET exam is the centralised, combined, entrance test for entry into optometry courses, which is universally recognised all over the country.

B.Optom course is of 4 year duration. The first 3 years teaching is followed by one year of internship for clinical and trade experience. The optometry course covers a wide variety of subjects, including physical optics, knowledge of optical instruments, general anatomy, physiology, abnormal and pathological conditions of the eye and the methods to measure refractive errors and their correction. Courses in pharmacology, optics, vision science, biochemistry, and systemic disease are included in the curriculum. There will be practical training in Basic Science, Dispensing Optics and Clinical subjects. The forth and final year is internship where the students are posted at various hospitals and specialty eye clinics and Optical establishments for clinical training and hands-on practice.

For direct admission to third year B.Optom course, candidates who have completed their 10+2, must have a 2 year diploma course in Optometry, Ophthalmic Techniques, Refraction, Orthoptics and Ophthalmic Assistance with 40% marks from an Institute recognised by Indian Optometric Association and Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University. Candidates with Secondary School Certificate (std X) must have a 3 year diploma course in Ophthalmic Techniques and should have worked in an Ophthalmic clinic or Optical establishment for a minimum period of one year after completion of the course. The candidates, have to submit their work experience certificate from the Ophthalmic clinic or Optical establishment during the time of admission. Age limit for direct admission to 3rd year B.Optom course is 19 years. In addition, they have to appear for the EYECET test.

Personal Skills :Patience, manual dexterity and a confident manner are important skills for the work of an optometrist. The essential characteristics to become a licensed optometrist are mechanical aptitude, good vision and coordination. Self-discipline, a disposition to serve others, work ethics characterized by dedication and persistence and the ability to deal tactfully with patients are some essential qualities to become a successful optometrist.

Job Prospectus and Career Options : Optometrists are trained professionals involved in the treatment of visual defects with the help of optical instruments.



Optometrists are trained professionals involved in the treatment of visual defects with the help of optical instruments. They conduct eye tests to examine a patient's vision and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses and provide vision therapy and low-vision rehabilitation. Apart from these, they also operate machines for work such as polishing edges, hardening and adjusting the sizes of lenses. To manage any optical trade including primary dispensing of spectacles, a professional education in Ophthalmic Optics (Optometry) is essential. It is a profession which offers job flexibility, regular working hours and financial stability.

After completing the course on Optometry, an Optometrist has various career opportunities. They can establish an independent practice by starting their own eye clinic, optical shop, lens manufacturing unit etc. They can work with Optician showrooms, Eye doctors, Contact Lens and Ophthalmic lens industry, hospital Eye departments etc. Optometrists can also seek employment with any multi national organization dealing with eye care products as professional services executives or take up teaching as a career. They can pursue higher education or can go for further research in the field of Optometry. Optometrists could also take up the work of occupational health specialists in the vision care of industrial workers.

Remuneration : Optometry is one of the top ten income-earning professions in the country today.

Optometry is one of the top ten income-earning professions in the country today. An optometrists earning is determined by several factors including
coverage under provincial medical programs, fee schedules, hours worked, practice location, services provided and patient population. The initial salary of an optometrist in a government firm is Rs. 8000/- or above plus other allowance. Salaried optometrists tend to earn more initially than optometrists who set up their own practices. However, ultimately those in private practice once established usually earn more.

Useful Contacts

The Indian Optometric Association is a registered body under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1978. and is registered with World Council of Optometry

Address :
Indian Optometric Association
Savera Opticians,
No.7 Rosy Tower,
Nungambakkam High Road,
Chennai (Madras) - 600034

Institutes : There are various institutions across the country offer courses in Optometry

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (A.I.I.M.S.), New Delhi( Delhi )
Safdarjung Enclave, Aurobindo Marg, Ansari Nagar , New Delhi ( Delhi ) - 110029

Andhra Medical College, Vishakapatnam( Andhra Pradesh )
Vishakapatnam ( Vishakapatnam Dist. ) - 530002

Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh( Assam )
Dibrugarh ( Dibrugarh Dist. ) - 786002

B.R.D. Medical College, Gorakhpur( Uttar Pradesh )
Gorakhpur ( Gorakhpur Dist. ) - 226003

Bankura Sammilani Medical College, Bankura( West Bengal )
P.O. Kenduadihi , Bankura ( Bankura Dist. ) - 722101

Bharati Vidyapeeth University : College of Optometry, Pune( Maharashtra )
Katraj Dhankawadi , Pune ( Pune Dist. ) - 411043

Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi( Delhi )
New Delhi ( Delhi ) - 110029

G.R. Medical College, Gwalior( Madhya Pradesh )
Gwalior ( Gwalior Dist. ) - 474009

Gandhi Eye Hospital, Aligarh( Uttar Pradesh )
Aligarh ( Aligarh Dist. )

Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal( Madhya Pradesh )
Sultaniya Road , Bhopal ( Bhopal Dist. ) - 462001

Government Medical College, Patiala( Punjab )
Sangrur Road , Patiala ( Patiala Dist. ) - 147001

Government Opthalmic Hospital, Chennai( Tamil Nadu )
Chennai ( Chennai Dist. ) - 600008

Insitute of Ophthalmology : Joseph Eye Hospital, Tiruchirappalli( Tamil Nadu )
Post Box No-138, Melapudur , Tiruchirappalli ( Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) Dist. ) - 620001

J.E.H. Institute of Ophthalmology, Tiruchirappalli( Tamil Nadu )
Joseph Eye Hospital, Post Box No-138 Melapudur , Tiruchirappalli ( Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) Dist. ) - 620001

Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal( Andhra Pradesh )
Warangal ( Warangal Dist. ) - 506007

Karnataka Medical College, Hubli( Karnataka )
Hubli ( Dharwad Dist. ) - 580022

Kurnool Medical College, Kurnool( Andhra Pradesh )
Kurnool ( Kurnool Dist. ) - 518002

L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad( Andhra Pradesh )
L.V. Prasad Marg, Banjara Hills , Hyderabad ( Hyderabad Dist. ) - 500034

M and J Institute of Ophthalmology, Civil Hospital Campus, Ahmedabad( Gujarat )
Ahmedabad ( Ahmedabad Dist. ) - 380016

M.L.B. Medical College, Jhansi( Uttar Pradesh )
Jhansi ( Jhansi Dist. ) - 284002

M.L.N. (Moti Lal Nehru) Medical College, Allahabad( Uttar Pradesh )
Lowther Road, Near Company Bag , Allahabad ( Allahabad Dist. ) - 211011

M.R. Medical College, Gulbarga( Karnataka )
Gulbarga ( Gulbarga Dist. ) - 585105

Madurai Medical College, Madurai( Tamil Nadu )
Gandhi Nagar , Madurai ( Madurai Dist. ) - 625001

Medical College, Amritsar( Punjab )
Amritsar ( Amritsar Dist. ) - 143001

Medical College, Aurangabad( Andhra Pradesh )
Aurangabad ( Nellore Dist. ) - 431001

Medical College, Berhampur( Orissa )
Berhampur ( Ganjam Dist. ) - 760004

Medical College, Cuttack( Orissa )
Cuttack ( Cuttack Dist. ) - 753007

Medical College, Nagpur( Maharashtra )
Nagpur ( Nagpur Dist. ) - 440003

Medical College, Srinagar( Jammu and Kashmir )
Srinagar ( Srinagar Dist. )

Medical College, Surat( Gujarat )
Surat ( Surat Dist. ) - 395001

Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram( Kerala )
Thiruvananthapuram ( Thiruvananthapuram Dist. ) - 695501

Minto Hospital, Bangalore( Karnataka )
Bangalore ( Bangalore (Bengaluru) Dist. )

New Teaching College and Hospital, Jodhpur( Rajasthan )
Jodhpur ( Jodhpur Dist. )

North Bengal Medical College, Darjeeling( West Bengal )
P.O.Sushrutnagar, Sillguri , Darjeeling ( Darjeeling Dist. ) - 734432

Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak( Haryana )
Rohtak ( Rohtak Dist. ) - 124001

Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College (Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University), Raipur( Chhattisgarh )
Raipur ( Raipur Dist. )

Patna Medical College and Hospital, Patna( Bihar )
Patna ( Patna Dist. ) - 800004

Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Bangalore( Karnataka )
Bangalore ( Bangalore (Bengaluru) Dist. )

Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Kolkata( West Bengal )
Kolkata ( Kolkata Dist. )

Regional Medical College, Imphal( Manipur )
Imphal ( Imphal Dist. ) - 795001

Rotary Eye Institute, Navsari( Gujarat )
Navsari ( Navsari Dist. )

S.D. Eye Hospital, Hyderabad( Andhra Pradesh )
Hyderabad ( Hyderabad Dist. )

S.M.S. Hospital, Jaipur( Rajasthan )
Jaipur ( Jaipur Dist. ) - 302004

Sagar Nidhi Institute of Paramedical Sciences, Lucknow( Uttar Pradesh )
A-905/9, Near Meena Market, Indranagar , Lucknow ( Lucknow Dist. ) - 226016

Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, Hyderabad( Andhra Pradesh )
Hyderabad ( Hyderabad Dist. )


Shri Prakash Institute Of Optometry, Chennai( Tamil Nadu )
C/O Dr. Agarwal Eye Hospital, 19, Cathedral Road , Chennai ( Chennai Dist. ) - 600086

Sitapur Eye Hospital, Sitapur( Uttar Pradesh )
Sitapur ( Sitapur Dist. )

Surya Kiran Institute of Paramedical Sciences and Computer Technology, Bathinda( Punjab )
Surya Hospital, G.T.Road, Opp. Pukhraj Cinema , Bathinda ( Bathinda Dist. ) - 155001

T.D. Medical College, Alappuzha( Kerala )
Alappuzha ( Alappuzha Dist. ) - 688005

Thanjavur Medical College, Thanjavur( Tamil Nadu )
Thanjavur ( Thanjavur Dist. ) - 613004

University of Calicut, Kozhikode( Kerala )
Calicut University P.O, Mallapurum , Kozhikode ( Kozhikode Dist. ) - 673635