How to Become an Optometrist in India?

If you have a keen interest in studying the human eye and vision and want to help people maintain good eyesight, then becoming an optometrist could be a rewarding career path. Optometrists are trained professionals who examine the eyes and diagnose, treat, and manage vision problems.

In India, optometry is a growing field with ample opportunities for those who are willing to put in the time and effort to gain the necessary education and training. In this article, we will guide you through the steps required to become an optometrist in India.

Courses Name	Optometrist
Famous Courses	Bachelor in Optometrists  Masters in Optometrist
Duration	Bachelors- 3-4 Year  Masters- 2 Year
Eligibility	Bachelors in Optometrists- 10+2 with 50% Masters in Optometrists- Graduate with 50%

What is Optometrist

Optometrists are healthcare professionals who specialize in examining eyes and diagnosing vision problems. Optometrists prescribe corrective lenses, such as eyeglasses and contact lenses, to improve vision problems such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. They may also provide instructions on how to properly use and care for corrective lenses. Optometrists stay up-to-date with new developments and advances in the field of optometry by attending continuing education courses and conferences.

Role and Responsibilities For an Optometrist in India 

• Optometrists conduct comprehensive eye examinations to diagnose and treat vision problems and eye diseases. They use various diagnostic tools and techniques, such as visual acuity tests, retinoscopy, and ophthalmoscopy.
• In some cases, optometrists may prescribe medications to treat eye conditions such as infections, allergies, and inflammations.
• Optometrists may refer patients to other healthcare professionals, such as ophthalmologists or primary care physicians, for further treatment or diagnosis of systemic conditions that may affect the eyes.
• Optometrists manage patient care, including follow-up appointments, communication with other healthcare providers, and maintenance of medical records.
• Optometrists educate patients about the importance of eye health and ways to prevent eye diseases and vision problems. 

Also, Read- How to become an Eye Specialist 

How to Become an Optometrist 

To become a successful optometrist in India a candidate need to follow the below steps 

• Complete your 10+2 with Science: To become an optometrist in India, you must have completed your 10+2 with science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
• Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Optometry: After completing your 10+2, you must obtain a Bachelor of Optometry (B.Optom) degree from a recognized institute. The duration of the program is usually four years.
• Complete an Internship: After obtaining your B.Optom degree, you must complete a one-year internship in a hospital or clinic to gain practical experience in the field.
• Register with the Optometry Council of India (OCI): After completing your internship, you must register with the OCI to practice as an optometrist in India. Pass the Optometry Council of India (OCI) examination after completing the B.Optom degree.  it is mandatory to pass this examination to practice as an optometrist in India.
• Continue your Education: To keep up with the latest developments in the field of optometry, it is recommended to continue your education through workshops, conferences, and other professional development opportunities.

Qualification Requirement 

This is the qualification required to become an optometrist in India: 

• Obtain a Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) or 10+2 equivalent certification from a recognized board with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as main subjects.
• Pursue a Bachelor of Optometry (B.Optom) degree from a recognized college or university. 
• Some optometrists may choose to pursue a Master of Optometry (M.Optom) degree, which is optional and not a requirement to practice as an optometrist in India.
• Optometrists can also choose to pursue a Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree, which is a postgraduate degree in optometry. This degree is also optional and not a requirement to practice as an optometrist in India.

Colleges Offering an Optometrist Program

These are the top college that provides optometrist programs in India 

College	Program	Average fee
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS,	Bachelor of Optometry (B.Optom) program	Rs. 25,000.
Elite School of Optometry, Chennai	Master of Optometry (M.Optom) program Bachelor of Optometry (B.Optom) program	Rs. 6,00,000 Rs. 7,50,000,
Lotus College of Optometry, Mumbai:	B.Optom program	Rs. 3,70,000.
NIMS University, Jaipur	B.Optom program, M.Sc program	Rs. 1,15,000 Rs. 50,000.
SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai:	M.Optom programB.Optom program	Rs. 1,40,000. Rs. 1,40,000.
Amity University, Noida:	B.Optom program	Rs. 5,22,000
Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune	B.Optom program	Rs. 5,50,000.

Eligibility Requirement to Pursue Optometry Courses

Programs	Eligibility
Under Graduate	Candidate must be 10+2 in science with at least 50% from a recognized school
Post Graduate	Candidate must be a Graduate in the medical stream with at least 50%

Also Read: Top Medical Courses

Skills Required to Become an Optometrist 

Some key skills required for a career in optometry include attention to detail

• Good communication skills
• and strong problem-solving skills
• Empathy to patient
• Soft Spoken  
• Optometrists must also have a thorough understanding of eye anatomy, physiology, and pathology.

Admission Process

The admission process for the Optometrist program in India may vary depending on the college or university offering the program. Here are some general steps to apply for the program:

• First, research the colleges and universities in India that offer optometry programs.
• to be eligible for the optometry program, you must meet the educational requirements, which typically include obtaining a Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) or 10+2 equivalent certification from a recognized board with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as main subjects.
• Many colleges and universities require applicants to take an entrance exam to be considered for admission. Some of the most common entrance exams include NEET, AIIMS, and JIPMER.
• Some institutions may require applicants to attend an admissions interview, which may be conducted in person or online.

Document Required

• Educational certificates including 10th and 12th Marksheets/passing certificates.
• Passport size Photo
• Entrance Examination Score Card if any 
• Updated CV/ Resume 
• Transfer certificate 

Also Read- Podcasts for Medical Students

Job Prospects

The demand for optometrists in India is increasing due to the rise in eye health issues and the aging population. Optometrists play an important role in the healthcare industry by providing vision care services and early detection of eye diseases. Here are some of the job prospects for optometrists in India:

• Private Practice
• Corporate Sector
• Hospitals and Clinics
• Research and Development
• Teaching and Training

Salary 

After completing the course you can work as an optometrist on the given profile 

Job profile	Average Salary (per. annum)
Community Optometrist	INR 2.5 Lakh
Hospital Optometrist	INR 3.5 Lakh
Optometrist Research	INR 6.3 Lakh
Domiciliary Optometrist	INR 4.00Lakh

Top Recruiters 

These are the top company that hires Optometrist 

• Lensekart solutions 
• Titan Company
• Optum
• TItana Eye plus 
• First Student 
• Dr. Aggrawal Eye Hospital 
• Eye Center Optometrist 

FAQs:

This was all about How to Become an Optometrist in India if you want to explore more courses related to medicine follow our study abroad page our expert at Leverage Edu help you to explore more courses