Optometry courses involve the training and theoretical knowledge to detect defects in the vision, examine the eye and its related structures, and prescribe corrective lenses. One can study optometry as a certification, diploma, or undergraduate or postgraduate degree.
Popular optometry courses after the 12th are BOptom, BSc Optometry, and Diploma in Optometry. Candidates can also pursue postgraduate optometry courses after the successful completion of their undergraduate programs. Optometry courses after graduation such as MOptom, MSc Optometry, and PG Diploma in Optometry help students specialize in optometry and get better job opportunities.
Students who do not wish to pursue a full-time optometry course can enroll themselves in a short-term optometry course that will help them get a career boost. Admission to the optometry courses in Top Optometry Colleges in India is done based on either mark scored in their 10+2 or an entrance exam.
After completing an Optometry course, there is a huge scope and opportunities in the field of Optometry. One can apply for various job roles such as General Doctor, Optometrist, Ophthalmologist, etc. They can earn an average of INR 3,00,000 - 12,00,000 annually based on the job roles and their experience in them.
All About Optometry Courses
Optometry is the medical profession that examines the eyes and visual systems for disorders and abnormalities (eye disease). An optometrist is not a medical doctor, but he or she is responsible for vision care, including vision testing, correction, diagnosis, and treatment. Optometry is a good course and a rewarding career with many opportunities.
| Courses Available | Certificate, Diploma & PG Diploma, Undergraduate, Postgraduate |
| Eligibility | Merit and Entrance-Based |
| Average Annual Course Fee | INR 5,000 - INR 5,00,000 |
| Courses Offered | Diploma in Optometry, BOptom, MOptom, etc. |
| Top Colleges | AIIMS New Delhi, CMC Vellore, SRIHER Chennai, Jamia Hamdard University, etc. |
| Jobs and Scope | General Doctor, Optometrist, Optician, Ophthalmologist, etc |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 3,00,000 - INR 12,00,000 |
Types of Optometry Courses
Optometry courses in India are offered at various levels i.e. certificate, diploma, PG diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate. One can pursue online as well as on-campus optometry courses via regular or distance mode. Optometry course fees range between INR 5,000 - INR 5,00,000 annually.
Online Optometry Courses
The popular online courses in Optometry and the platforms that offer them are mentioned below.
| Course Name | Provider | Course Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate Course in Optometry | Dr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital | – |
| Certificate Course in Clinical Optometry | The Shankara Nethralaya Academy | INR 30,000 |
| Certificate Course in Optometry & Ophthalmic Assistance | Nalanda Open University | – |
| Certificate Program in Clinical Optometry | Indian Academy of Optometry | INR 5,000 |
| Certificate Program in Geriatric Optometry | INR 10,000 | |
| Certificate Program in Pediatric Optometry | INR 10,000 | |
| Certificate Program in Low Vision Rehabilitation | INR 10,000 | |
| Retinoscopy for Ophthalmologists and Optometry students | Udemy | INR 649 |
| Optometry Skills for Success | Udemy | INR 799 |
| Certificate Course in Optometry | Maharashtra University of Health Sciences | – |
Diploma & PG Diploma Optometry Courses
Diploma in Optometry, PG Diploma in Optometry, and Diploma in Optometry, and Refraction are popular diploma courses in Optometry. Students need to score more than 50 - 55% marks in 10+2 for diploma and in graduation for PG diploma and study Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. Some colleges require students to qualify for entrance exams (if any).
| Course Name | Top Colleges | Average Course Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Diploma in Optometry | CMC Vellore, KGMU Lucknow | INR 4,100 - 90,000 |
| Diploma in Optometry and Refraction | Madhya Pradesh Medical Science University, Jabalpur | – |
| Diploma in Ophthalmic Technology | GD Goenka University | INR 1,50,000 |
| Diploma in Optometry & Ophthalmic Technology | Aligarh Muslim University | INR 47,570 |
| Post Graduate Diploma in Optometry and Vision Sciences | LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad | INR 59,000 |
| PGD in Ophthalmology | AIIMS New Delhi, PGIMER Chandigarh | INR 1,5000 - 13,00,000 |
| PG Diploma in Ophthalmology | Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham | – |
Undergraduate Optometry Courses
BSc Optometry and BOptom are two popular undergraduate degree courses in Optometry. The admission process is pretty much similar for both of the courses. Students need to score more than 50 - 55% marks in 10+2 and study Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. Some colleges require students to qualify for entrance exams (if any).
| Course Name | Average Course Fee |
|---|---|
| BSc Optometry | INR 5,000 - INR 3,00,000 |
| Bachelor of Optometry (BOptom) | INR 5,000 - INR 3,00,000 |
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Postgraduate Optometry Courses
MSc Optometry and MOptom are two popular postgraduate courses in Optometry. The admission process is pretty much similar for both of the courses. Students need to score more than 50 - 55% marks in bachelor’s and qualify for the entrance exam (if any).
| Course Name | Average Course Fee |
|---|---|
| MSc Optometry | INR 50,000 - INR 2,00,000 |
| Master of Optometry (MOptom) | INR 1,00,000 - INR 2,00,000 |
Optometry Course Eligibility
The completion of 10+2 from a recognized board with science as the stream is the minimum qualification required. The minimum pass percentage is 45%, and the age requirement is 17 years or older. Candidates can participate in university-level entrance exams.
| Level | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Diploma in Optometry | Completed class 12 in science stream with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English as compulsory subjects |
| PG Diploma in Optometry | Completed graduation in relevant discipline from a recognized university |
| Undergraduate Courses in Optometry | Completed class 12 in science stream from a recognized board with a minimum of 50% marks with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English as compulsory subjects |
| Postgraduate Courses in Optometry | Completed graduation in MBBS or BOptom from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate. |
Top Optometry Colleges
The table below gives the list of top colleges in India offering optometry courses.
| Name of the College | Location |
|---|---|
| All India Institute of Medical Sciences | Delhi |
| Christian Medical College | Vellore |
| Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research | Pondicherry |
| Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research | Chennai |
| Dr DY Patil Vidyapeeth | Pune |
| Siksha 'O' Anusandhan University | Bhubaneswar |
| SRM Institute of Science and Technology | Chennai |
| Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research | Kolkata |
| Aligarh Muslim University | Aligarh |
| Jamia Hamdard University | New Delhi |
| Saveetha Medical College | Chennai |
| JSS Medical College and Hospital | Mysore |
Optometry Course Syllabus
The Optometry syllabus is a three-year undergraduate course that focuses on eye diseases and treatment, as well as pollution and ultraviolet rays. Orthoptics, vision theory, dispensing optics, clinical optometry, and other common Optometry subjects include:
| General Anatomy & Ocular Anatomy | Ocular Diseases & Therapeutics |
| Geometric Optics | Clinical Imaging |
| Physical & Optics | Dissertation |
| Microbiology & Pathology | Low Vision & Rehabilitation |
| Visual Optics | Contact Lens |
| Dispensing Optics | Geriatric Optometry & Paediatric Optometry |
| Optometric Instruments | Clinical Examination of Visual Systems |
| Nutrition | – |
Optometry Course: Jobs and Scope
The scope after optometry courses is immense. Students after completion of a course in optometry can look up job opportunities like optometrist, optometry researcher, optician, teacher, etc.
| Job Profiles | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Optometrist | They are responsible for examining the patients' eyes, conducting vision tests, and diagnosing as well as treating various sight problems. Their main responsibilities include examining patients with vision defects, diseases, or injuries; visual exams and providing the best care; advice to patients; writing referrals to other appropriate vision specialists. | INR 3.13 lakhs |
| Optician | They help customers with various tasks like vision tests, prescriptions, repairs, and more. They must be familiar with the equipment, and sometimes perform laser surgery machines. They also work in an administrative capacity and help in running the clinic. | INR 6 lakhs |
| Ophthalmologist | They are actual eye doctors and are certified for performing medical exams, diagnosing diseases, writing prescriptions, and performing surgery. Their main responsibility is to perform routine eye examinations | INR 12.08 lakhs |
Optometry Courses FAQs
Ques. Is BSC optometry a good course?
Ans. Yes, BSc Optometry is a good course. It will help you gain the necessary skills and knowledge required to kickstart a career in the field of Optometry.
Ques. What is the highest optometrist salary?
Ans. The highest salary that any optometrist could make in India is INR 12 - 15 lakhs per annum.
Ques. How long is the optometry course?
Ans. The duration of optometry courses varies depending on the type of course, level of course, and the institutions offering them.
- Certificate course duration usually ranges from a few days to up to 6 months.
- Diploma courses are usually 1 - 3 years long.
- Undergraduate courses are usually 3 - 4 years long, while PG courses are 2 years long.
Ques. How can I get admission to optometry college?
Ans. One can get admission into optometry courses after completing class 12 from a recognized board with a minimum of 50 % marks in the science stream with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English as compulsory subjects. Admission is done based on the performance of the candidates in the entrance exams or on the marks scored in the previous qualifying exam.
Ques. What are the job opportunities available after optometry courses?
Ans. There are various job opportunities after an optometry course. Some of the popular job opportunities include General doctor, Optometrist, Optician, Ophthalmologist, etc.
Ques. Can I take admitted to optometry colleges without NEET?
Ans. Yes, you do not need to qualify NEET exam to take admission in optometry courses.
Ques. Can I pursue optometry after the 12th?
Ans. Yes, you can pursue certifications, diplomas,s and undergraduate courses in optometry after class 12. The eligibility criteria for such courses is 50-55% marks in 10+2.
Ques. Can I get direct admission to BSc optometry?
Ans. Yes, admission in most of the colleges that offer BSc optometry is based on merit i.e. marks obtained in 10+2.
Ques. What are the subjects included in the optometry course syllabus?
Ans. The syllabus for different types of optometry courses varies from one another, however, some of the common topics covered in most of the optometry courses include General Anatomy & Ocular Anatomy, Ocular Diseases & Therapeutics, Geometric Optics, Clinical Imaging, Physical & Optics, Dissertation, Microbiology & Pathology, Low Vision & Rehabilitation, etc.
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