Optometry Information

• Helpful Links
• Optometry Club
• Optometry FAQs
• Career Description
• Admission Requirements
• Pre-requisite Classes
• Application Process
• List of Optometry Schools
• Optometry Test Information
• Specific School Prerequisites
• Specific School Information

Helpful Links

• The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
• American Optometric Association
• National Board of Examiners in Optometry
• Optometry career guide
• Explanations of various health professions

Optometry FAQs

What is Optometry?

• Doctors of Optometry (ODs) are the primary health care professionals for the eye. Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures.

What is the work week like? What are the working conditions?

• Most optometrists work 40 hours/week in well lighted, comfortable settings.

What is the average salary?

• The average salary of optometrists is around $130,000/year.

What are the admission requirements?

• A combination of science and non-science classes
• A 300 or above on the OAT
• GPA range 3.08-3.64
• Shadowing experience
• Well rounded students

What should I major in?

• What ever you'd like to! No particular major is required; do something you like and that you can do well in and then make sure you complete the required classes in addition to that major.

How long is the Schooling to become an Optometrist?

• 4 years (after a bachelor's degree).

Career Description

Doctors of Optometry (ODs) are the primary health care professionals for the eye. Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures. They also identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye.

ODs diagnose and treat, prescribe medications, perform certain surgical procedures, provide vision therapy and low vision rehabilitation, and assist patients with glasses and contact lenses. They counsel patients regarding surgical and non-surgical options to meet their visual needs, and in cases involving surgery they provide both pre-operative and post-operative consultation and care. ODs also diagnose systemic conditions that have eye-related symptoms (i.e., diabetes or high blood pressure) and refer patients to other health practitioners, as needed.

Optometrists should not be confused with ophthalmologists or dispensing opticians. Ophthalmologists are physicians who perform eye surgery, in addition to diagnosing and treating eye conditions. Dispensing opticians fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, following prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or optometrists.

The average salary of optometrists is around $130,000/year. Almost all work in settings that are clean, well-lighted, and comfortable (usually their own offices). Most full-time optometrists work about 40 hours a week; many now work Saturdays and evenings to suit the needs of their patients. Emergency calls, though not common, have increased with the passage of therapeutic drug laws expanding optometrists' ability to prescribe medications.

Admission Requirements

Generally, colleges of optometry admit students who have demonstrated strong academic commitment and who exhibit the potential to excel in deductive reasoning, interpersonal communication, and empathy. Optometry schools are looking for "well-rounded" candidates who have achieved not only in the classroom but also in other areas. Leadership ability, a disposition to serve others, and a work ethic characterized by dedication and persistence are a few of the qualities that impress most admission committees.

Although a bachelor's degree is not required by most optometry schools, it is strongly preferred. Many students major in the natural sciences in college (biology, chemistry, etc.) because the prerequisites for optometry school are science intensive. However, prospective students can major in any degree discipline as long as they complete all of the prerequisite courses for optometry. We recommend you major in something you enjoy... your grades will usually be higher and you'll have a viable backup plan.

Most schools consider an applicant's exposure to optometry to be of vital importance.

Each applicant should become acquainted with at least one optometrist and do some shadowing to gain some first-hand experience in what optometrists do on a daily basis. Most schools require personal interviews for admission, and experience/exposure to the field is often a topic for discussion.

There is a standardized test (the OAT) that must be taken in order to be admitted to any optometry school. The testing program is designed to measure general academic ability and comprehension of scientific information. While all optometry schools require applicants to participate in the Optometry Admission Testing Program, test results are only one factor considered in evaluating the admission potential of an applicant. For more information about the OAT, go to http://www.opted.org/info_oat.cfm. To register to take to OAT, go to http://www.opted.org/info_faq.cfm#14.

Since each optometry school may have slightly different admissions criteria, we strongly recommended that you investigate all the schools and colleges you are interested in applying to. Each school provides information on specific application deadlines, additional policies and procedures, class size, GPA, OAT averages, international requirements, and tuition and fees considerations. A complete listing of the schools and colleges of optometry is provided by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) at www.opted.org.

Prerequisite Classes

The requirements for admission to the schools and colleges of optometry vary, but students wishing to study optometry should be certain to take at least a year of biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and general physics. Microbiology, English, college mathematics, and other social science and humanities courses are also required. The science courses should be pre-professional level courses designed for science majors or health professional students and should offer laboratory experience. Brief survey courses in the sciences will not prepare you for optometry school.

On a 4.0 scale, the grade point average for the 2006 entering optometry class ranged from a high of 3.64 to a low of 3.08 with a mean of 3.43. Once again, we strongly recommend you check with the institutions you plan to apply to in order to make sure you meet all of the class requirements and that you don't take unnecessary classes.

Application Process

Since each optometry school may have slightly different admissions criteria, applicants should investigate each school they are interested in applying to. Most optometry schools and colleges require applicants to complete an application, write a personal essay; submit transcripts from colleges attended by the applicant; take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) and submit scores; provide letters of recommendation; participate in a personal interview; and demonstrate experience or exposure to the field of optometry.

Early applications are desirable, and deadlines range from December to April 1 for the various schools and colleges of optometry. Contact the schools of your choice to obtain application instructions and forms.

Revised April 2008