Know Everything About Pediatric Optometry Course

An eye doctor (a Doctor of Optometry leverage, abbreviated “OD”) who focuses on children’s eye health is known as a pediatric optometrist. They have additional education, training, and expertise in working with kids, doing kid-friendly eye exams and testing, and identifying and treating eye diseases unique to kids. Pediatric ODs carry out thorough eye exams, recommend corrective lenses (glasses and contacts), and diagnose and treat eye and vision issues, much like a normal optometrist would.

If you are someone who has a keen interest in pursuing a course in the Medical field which involved kids and their eye-sight-related issues, then you definitely go for the Pediatric Optometry course. Continue reading to get more information about the same. 

Conditions Treated Under Pediatric Optometry

Often, paediatric optometrists are the first place parents turn to when their child exhibits vision development issues. The conditions that paediatric optometrists typically address include 

• Refractive errors, including astigmatism, hyperopia (nearsightedness), and myopia (farsightedness). 
• Amphlopia (lazy eye) 
• Strabismus (misaligned or crossed eyes) 
• Colour blindness, infection, discharge, inflammation, and convergence insufficiency are among eye health issues.

Also, paediatric optometrists are capable of identifying more serious conditions that require outside care. Your child’s eye doctor will recommend you to a specialist for your child’s particular situation if they think your child needs one, such as a neuro-ophthalmologist
or a retina specialist.

Educational Qualifications: Pediatric Optometry

Below mentioned are the educational qualifications required for pursuing a Pediatric Optometry course:

• A four-year college or university degree, as well as four years of curriculum and clinical experience, are prerequisites for becoming a paediatric optometrist (OD). It is also normal to need a second year of residency in paediatric optometry. 
• While optometrists are physicians of optometry, it’s crucial to remember that they are not medical doctors and cannot do surgery. One of the key distinctions between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist is this.

Must Read: How to Become an Eye Specialist

Pediatric Optometry: Eligibility Criteria

For pursuing a Pediatric Optometry course, all degrees of programs have different eligibility criteria including diplomas, bachelor, master’s or PhD. Check out the eligibility criteria for different degrees below:

Diploma in Pediatric Optometry

For pursuing a diploma in Pediatric Optometry candidates must have passed 10+2 grade with the science stream including subjects like physics, chemistry, biology and English. The diploma course is conducted for a duration of 1 – year.

Bachelor’s Degree Course

In order to be eligible for bachelor’s degree courses, candidates must have completed the grade 12 board examination, with subjects like chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics and English. 

Master’s Degree Course

For pursuing a master’s degree in Pediatric Optometry course, candidates must have completed a bachelor’s degree in the same or related field from a recognized university.

Top Colleges in India to Study Pediatric Optometry

Some of the top colleges to study Pediatric Optometry in India are:

• All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), New Delhi
• SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai
• SGT University, Gurugram
• JSS Academy of Higher Education, Karnataka
• Geetanjali Medical College, Udaipur
• Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry
• Christian Medical College & Hospital, Ludhiana

Top Universities for Pediatric Optometry Abroad

Below mentioned are top universities for studying pediatric optometry abroad:

University Name	World QS Ranking
University of Hartford	#801 – #1000
University of London	#330
Queensland University of Technology, Australia	#224
Aston University, Birmingham	#561 – #570
Anglia Ruskin University	#301 – #350
University of Bradford	#701 – #750
University of Canberra	#601 – #650

Application Process

To apply for Pediatric Optometry follow the steps given below:

• Check the eligibility criteria for the course you are applying.
• As a next step, register at the official website.
• Login with the credentials to check the status of your application.
• Apply all the details accurately.
• Carefully attach the supporting documents.
• If required, upload your photo signature.
• Preview the application carefully.
• Submit the application.
• If required pay the application fee.

Documents Required

To study Pediatric Optometry abroad, you require the documents mentioned below:

• Scores of English proficiency Tests: IELTS or TOEFL
• SAT exam score (Some universities consider the SAT scores)
• 2 pictures and a copy of your passport or another acceptable form of identification
• Attestation letters: minimum two
• Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of recommendation

Career Scope

Between 2021 and 2023, the demand of Pediatric Optometry will increase by 10%. Pediatric Optometry has a huge career scope. Due to technological advancements, kids these days use all the technologies beyond the limit. Parents have no control over the usage of screen time and somehow this is hampering the intellectual and social development of children. Additionally, it is hugely impacting children’s eye health. To prevent this from happening, Pediatric Optometrists play a great role in children’s life. 

Career Prospects

Optometry practice has a huge future both in India and overseas. It is a demanding and exciting vocation that aids the aspirant in obtaining fantastic prospects, financial achievement, job flexibility, and community respect in addition to personal development.

Taking measurements of vision, quickly diagnosing underlying medical issues, prescribing and fitting lenses to improve vision, and diagnosing and treating various eye illnesses are all part of the demanding and dynamic healthcare discipline of optometry. Students might investigate job options in occupational health care, eye care departments, optical showrooms, lens production facilities, etc. after successfully completing an optometry course.

Average Salary

Pediatric Optometrists earn around $125000 (INR 10,365,687). This career field offers lucrative benefits and career opportunities. 

Job Profiles 

Available job profiles to work as Pediatric Optometrists are mentioned below:

• Optometry Researcher
• Private Practitioner
• Pediatric Optometrist
• Professor at Universities
• Vision Consultant

Learning Outcomes 

Students who successfully complete the Pediatric Optometry course will be able to: 

1. Compare various cycloplegic agents 

2. Identify the symptoms and signs of psychosomatic visual dysfunctions. 

3. List the visual indicators of child abuse. 

4. Describe and carry out dry and wet refraction in children. 

5. Describe and carry out refractive procedures in children with dyslexia, learning difficulties, or colour vision issues. 

6. Alternatives to myopia treatment in detail and contrast 

7. Diagnosis and co-management of binocular vision disorders and amblyopia 

8. Describe the examination techniques required to identify strabismus, amblyopia, or binocular vision dysfunction. 

9. Describe and identify the symptoms of typical paediatric ocular diseases.

FAQs

We have covered everything in detail about Pediatric Optometry. Hope this blog post was useful in providing you with the information. Get in touch with Leverage Edu experts for assistance with study abroad programmes. Call us immediately at 1800572000 for a 30-minute free counselling session.