What is Optometry?
Optometry is a healthcare profession concerned with the eyes and related structures, as well as vision, visual systems, and vision information processing in humans for defects in vision and eye disorders in order to prescribe corrective lenses or other appropriate treatment.
The term optometry is derived from the Greek word ‘optos’ which means eye or vision and ‘metria’ which means measurement. The person who practices optometry is called an optometrist.
How to Pursue Optometry?
There are various degrees one can pursue in Optometry such as Diploma in Optometry, B.Sc. in Optometry, and M.Sc. in Optometry. The eligibility for each of these degrees are given below:
For Diploma:
Admission to this course is based on the entrance exam. Many institutions provide admission on the basis of national level entrance examination or state level entrance examination. Some institution offers its own entrance exam.
For B.Sc.:
Candidates get into this course by appearing in the relevant entrance exam followed by group discussion and personal interview. Although there are some institution who provides this course by taking the 12th marks
For M.Sc.:
1. Appear the entrance tests like JIPMER PG, AIIMS PG, NEET PG for taking admission in MD/MS course.
2. Choose your desired branch Optometry as a specialization in MD/MS.
3. Candidates seeking admission in the doctorate level course, are selected on the basis of performance in the qualifying examination and entrance exam. Various Institutions conduct their own entrance test for admission.
Job Opportunities in Optometry:
The study of Optometry offers very lucrative career opportunities that one can pursue. Jobs are available in clinics, private industries or in government sectors. Optometrists can set up their own practice also. Some of the widely chosen fields in Optometry are:
1. Optometrist:
Optometrists assess patients' eyes to identify vision defects, diseases, and injuries. Their duties include maintaining medical files, evaluating eye defects, recording treatment plans, and performing eye inspections. Candidates must have a license from the state in which they wish to practice.
Average Salary: 4 lakh to 5 lakh Rupees Per Annum
2. Opticians:
Opticians help people to fit eyeglasses and contact lenses, following prescriptions from ophthalmologists and optometrists. They advise patients on various types of lenses and spectacle frames including style, weight, and color. You'll also advise on how patients should wear and care for their spectacles and, with further training as a contact lens optician, their contact lenses.
Average Salary: 1.5 lakhs to 5 lakhs Rupees Per Annum
3. Optometry Professor/Ast. Professor:
An Optometry Professor/Ast. Professor teaches the students about the eye-construction, phenomenon, diseases, cure solution, etc
Average Salary: 6 lakhs to 9 lakhs Rupees Per Annum
4. Eye Doctor:
Optometrists examine the eyes and other parts of the visual system. They also diagnose and treat visual problems and manage diseases, injuries, and other disorders of the eyes. They prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses as needed.
Average Salary: 4 lakhs to 5 lakhs Rupees Per Annum
Top Recruiters:
Optometry is a subject related to the eye and its phenomenon, so the scope of Optometrist is limited. They basically found jobs in lens industries or hospitals which are as follows:
1. Essilor
2. Carl Zeiss
3. GKB
4. Ophthalmic lens industry
5. Government Eye Department
6. Private Eye Department
7. Privates Clinics
The career opportunities in the field of Optometry are wide and huge in demand both in India and abroad.
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