Preparation
Optometrists need a
Doctor of Optometry degree, which requires the completion of a 4-year
program at an accredited school of optometry. In 2011, there were 21
colleges of optometry in the U.S. and 1 in Puerto Rico that offered
programs accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education
of the American Optometric Association. Requirements for admission to
optometry schools include college courses in English, mathematics,
physics, chemistry, and biology. Because a strong background in science
is important, many applicants to optometry school major in a science,
such as biology or chemistry, as undergraduates. Other applicants major
in another subject and take many science courses offering laboratory
experience.
Admission to optometry
school is competitive; about 1 in 3 applicants are accepted. All
applicants must take the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT), a standardized
exam which measures academic ability and scientific comprehension. The
OAT consists of four tests: survey of the natural sciences, such as
biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry; reading
comprehension; physics; and quantitative reasoning. As a result, most
applicants take the test after their sophomore or junior year in
college, allowing them an opportunity to take the test again and raise
their score. A few applicants are accepted to optometry school after 3
years of college and complete their bachelor's degree while attending
optometry school. However, most students accepted by a school or college
of optometry have completed an undergraduate degree. Each institution
has its own undergraduate prerequisites, so applicants should contact
the school or college of their choice for specific requirements.
Optometry
programs include classroom and laboratory study of health and visual
sciences and clinical training in the diagnosis and treatment of eye
disorders. Courses in pharmacology, optics, vision science,
biochemistry, and systemic diseases are included.
One-year postgraduate
clinical residency programs are available for optometrists who wish to
obtain advanced clinical competence within a particular area of
optometry. Specialty areas for residency programs include family
practice optometry, pediatric optometry, geriatric optometry, vision
therapy and rehabilitation, low-vision rehabilitation, cornea and
contact lenses, refractive and ocular surgery, primary eye care
optometry, and ocular disease
 Advanced
Degrees
Optometrists
who wish to teach or conduct research may study for a master's degree or
Ph.D. in visual science, physiological optics, neurophysiology, public
health, health administration, health information and communication, or
health education.
Accredited
Programs
In the United States,
Doctor of Optometry degrees are accredited by the Accreditation Council
on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association.
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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