An optometrist is a health care professional who is concerned with examination, diagnosis and treatment of eyes. Their area of responsibility lies in determining one's refractive error and prescribing appropriate correction. They also deal with eye testing, also known as Vision Screening in the medical language, diagnosis of visual problems, optometric counselling of patients with partial sight, colour blindness and hereditary vision defects, designing and fitting of spectacles, contact lens etc.
There was a time when there were few instances of such eye problems because of the simple lifestyle and eating habits. But with the passing time and materialization of everything, life has become quite hectic resulting in no time for taking care of these delicate organs causing a lot of eye related problems.
With the changed living conditions, extraordinary fast lifestyles and changed work culture, there has been an increase in the eye related problems affecting the large population all over the world and especially the third world countries including the Indian subcontinent, thereby making the role of an Optometrist even more important in today’s context. Therefore a large and efficient team of dedicated Optometrists along with other health care professionals is required. So there is a good scope for today’s younger generation to make their career in this field, to make not only good monetary fortunes but also to get a lot of respect in the society.
In nutshell one can say the scope for Optometric practice in India and abroad is great and unlimited. It is a dynamic and challenging career with which one can achieve personal growth, community respect, job flexibility, financial success and unlimited opportunities. So to build a career in this field requires a lot of hard work, dedication and spirit to sever society. Besides one should have discipline, patience, commitment to excel in their respective field and self-confidence. If you have all these qualities in you then you are fit for being an Optometrist.
Optometrist vs Ophthalmologist. Though Optometry goes in tandem with Ophthalmology in the treatment of Visual disorders, Optometrists should not be confused with Ophthalmologists or dispensing opticians. An Optometrist performs all the tasks of an Ophthalmologist, except surgery. Whereas Ophthalmologists (Eye M.D's) are trained physicians specialized in eye and vision care that perform eye surgery, as well as diagnose and treat eye diseases and injuries.
Optometrist Eligibility
Educational Qualification
To be eligible to join this degree courses in ophthalmic technology one should be 10+2 with Biology, Physics and Chemistry as the main subject with 50% marks.
Age Limits
Age limit to take EYECET is 17 years as on 31st December of the respective year.
Optometrist Required Skills
- They should have the ability to understand mathematical and scientific information; accuracy and attention to detail; the ability to adapt to new techniques and instruments.
- They also possess the ability to maintain concentration for repetitive tasks; strong communication skills and a genuine desire to help people.
- They also possess the ability to put anxious patients at ease; the ability to explain ideas and instructions to children.
- They must have the ability to put anxious patients at ease; the ability to understand and apply scientific principles and methods.
How to become an Optometrist?
Aspiring candidates have to follow the given steps to become an Optometrist.
Step 1
After completing 12th class with the relevant subjects the aspiring candidates need to get admission in Bachelor of Clinical Optometry course.
Interested candidate has to appear for the EYECET examination. The EYECET exam is the centralized, combined, entrance test for entry into optometry courses, which is recognized all over the country. OR
For direct admission to third year B.Optom. course, candidates who have completed their 10+2, must have a 2-year diploma course in Optometry, Ophthalmic Techniques, Refraction, Orthoptics and Ophthalmic Assistance with 40% marks from an Institute recognised by Indian Optometric Association and Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University. OR
Candidates with Secondary School Certificate (Std X) must have a 3-year diploma course in Ophthalmic Techniques and should have worked in an Ophthalmic clinic or Optical establishment for a minimum period of one year after completion of the course. The candidates have to submit their work experience certificate from the Ophthalmic clinic or Optical establishment during the time of admission.
However, some colleges also give admission on the basis of % of marks obtained in the qualifying class
Step 2
After completing the undergraduate course in which one has to go through all the major aspects of the field of study candidates can go for Masters Degree in Optometry before joining Ophthalmic Clinic or Optical establishments.
Institutes offering Courses for Optometrist
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
- Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh
- University of Calicut, Calicut
- Annamalai University, Cuddalore
Optometrist Job Description
Optometrist job includes examination, diagnosis and treatment of eyes of human beings. It also includes determining one's refractive error and prescribing appropriate corrective measures to be taken beside vision screening, diagnosis of visual problems, optometric counselling of patients with partial sight, colour blindness and hereditary vision defects etc.
Optometrist Career Prospects
With increasing healthcare awareness among the masses and general development of the medical services, the area of scope for these professionals in this field is widening at a fast rate. So we can foresee a wider scope for these professionals both in terms of money as well as other remunerations. After completing the course on Optometry, an Optometrist has various career opportunities.
They can establish an independent practice by starting their own eye clinic, optical shop, lens manufacturing unit etc. or can work with optician showrooms, eye doctors, contact lens industry, hospital eye departments etc. Optometrists can also seek employment with some multinational organization dealing with eye care products as professional services executives or take up teaching as a career. Optometrists could also take up the work of occupational health specialists in the vision care of industrial workers.
Optometrist Salary
Optometrist Salary can get anything near Rs.25,000 to Rs.30,000 to start with and go up to Rs.35,000 to Rs.40,000 with expertise in the field.
