Optometrist

What Do They Do?

  • A person visits an eye clinic to get their eyes checked.
  • Before seeing the doctor, a person checks their eyes and asks to read the letters on a chart on the wall.
  • They perform different tests to check the power of the eyes and find out if the person has any vision or eye problems.
  • The person who does these eye tests is called an optometrist.
  • 👉 In simple words: An optometrist checks eyesight, identifies vision problems, prescribes glasses or contact lenses, and helps people take care of their eyes.

🎓 How to Become an Optometrist

The courses to pursue this career are given below :

After completing Class 12, you can pursue diploma or bachelor's degree courses in optometry to learn about eye care, vision testing, and correcting common vision problems.

Diploma in Optometry (D.Opt / D.Optom)

Duration: 2 Years

Eligibility: 12th Pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics (Minimum 45%–50% Marks)

Entrance Exam: State Paramedical Board Entrance Exams / Merit-Based

Bachelor of Optometry (B.Optom / B.Sc. Optometry)

Duration: 4 Years (3 Years Academic + 1 Year Clinical Internship)

Eligibility: 12th Pass with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology/Mathematics (Minimum 50% Marks)

Entrance Exam: CUET UG, State-Level CETs (e.g., KCET, GUJCET), or University Entrance Exams (e.g., AIIMS, Manipal MET)

📝 Exam Details

(Click on the exam name to see full details)

State Paramedical Entrance Exams State Level CET CUET UG University Entrance Exams Merit-Based Admission

Note: Admission requirements and entrance procedures may vary between institutions and states.

After completing a bachelor's degree in optometry, you can pursue a master's degree to gain advanced knowledge and skills in optometry and eye care.

Master of Optometry (M.Optom)

Duration: 2 Years

Eligibility: Bachelor’s Degree in Optometry (B.Optom / B.Sc. Optometry) with Minimum 50% Marks

Entrance Exam: University PG Entrance Exams (e.g.Manipal MET PG) / Merit-Based

📝 Exam Details

(Click on the exam name to see full details)

University Entrance Exams Merit-Based Admission

Note: Admission requirements and entrance procedures may vary between institutions and universities.

Note:

(Age limits, marks, and admission process may vary depending on the college or state.

Below are some colleges that offer these courses.

These courses are available in many colleges and universities across India. You can choose colleges based on your location, budget, and entrance exams.)

Colleges offering these courses in India

(Tap on a college to view the details)

After Class 12

Christian Medical College, Chittoor, Andra Pradesh Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Kochi, Kerala DIT University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand

After Graduation

Manipal College of Health Professions (MCHP), Manipal, Karnataka SRM Institute of Science & Technology (SRMIST), Kattankulathur, Tamil Nadu Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences (UPUMS), Saifai, UP
STEP 1

Imagine you are working as an optometrist in an eye clinic.

STEP 2

A person comes to the clinic for an eye check-up.

STEP 3

You check the person's eyesight and ask them to read the letters on an eye chart.

STEP 4

You perform different eye tests to find the correct power for glasses or contact lenses.

STEP 5

You check for common vision and eye problems.

STEP 6

If you find a problem that needs medical treatment, you refer the person to an ophthalmologist.

STEP 8

If you like healthcare and eye care, this career may suit you.

Eye Hospitals

Work in eye hospitals and help patients with vision and eye tests.

Eye Clinics

Check patients' eyesight and find the correct lens power.

Government Hospitals & Health Centres

Provide eye-testing services and basic vision care.

Private Hospitals & Clinics

Work with eye-care teams and check patients' vision.

Optical Stores

Perform eye tests and help customers with glasses or contact lenses.

Community Eye-Care Programs

Take part in eye-check-up camps and provide basic vision screening.

Abroad

Work in eye hospitals and clinics after meeting the required qualifications.

(Click Yes or No for each question)

1. Do you like helping people who have difficulty seeing clearly?

2. Do you like to test people's eyes using different equipment?

3. Do you like learning about the eyes and how they work?

4. Imagine you are working as an optometrist in an eye hospital. A person who has difficulty reading comes to the clinic. You check their eyes using different tests and find out the correct power of their eyes. Are you interested in doing this kind of work?

5. Imagine you are working as an optometrist in an eye clinic. A person comes to the clinic for new glasses. You check their eyesight, find the correct lens power, and help them choose the right glasses. Would you enjoy doing this kind of work?