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1. Optom. Trisruta Deb & Optom. Shubhanshu Choukade
Consultant Optometrists
Scope of Optometry
(Career opportunities & scope
for specialization)
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2. Contents
 Overview.
 Definition.
 Optometry courses.
 Career path.
 Retail industries.
 Corporate industries.
 Clinical & hospital.
 Academics.
 Specialization & Research.
 Personal practice.
 Further options.
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3.  A career path that leads towards a promising future, financial success and a
life of stability, respect and can be attained by becoming a professional
Optometrist.
 This is a critical area of service as a primary eye health and vision care
professional, a large portion of the population now needs some kind of
vision correction. That means that those who provide professional vision
care enjoys a career filled with personal and financial rewards. Making the
choice to become an optometrist is one that can lead to a great scope and
very bright future.
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Overview

4. Definition of Optometry and Optometrist
 Optometry is a healthcare profession that is autonomous, educated, and
regulated (licensed/registered), and Optometrists are the primary health &
vision care practitioners of the eye and visual system who provide
comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes refraction and
dispensing, detection/diagnosis and management of disease in the eye, and
the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system.
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5. Optometry Courses in India
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D.Optom
• It is a 2 years Diploma course in Optometry
• Candidate should have passed 10+2 standard with 45% marks are eligible for
Diploma in Optometry (may vary from one institute to another).
B.Optom
• It is a 4 years long UG Degree course in Optometry
• Candidate should have passed 10+2 Science stream with Physics, Chemistry, Biology
and English subjects. Minimum aggregate marks required is 45% (may vary from one
institute to another).
M.Optom
• It is a 2 years PG Degree course in Optometry
• Passed B.Optom from a recognized University(under UGC) with minimum of 50%
marks in aggregate.
Ph.D
• Ph. D can be pursued in India and overseas after completion of Masters degree with
minimum of 80 % with paper publication or Bachelors degree( for overseas, may
vary from one university to another).

6. Paths After B.Optom
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7. Career Paths of Optometry Practice
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Corporate
Retail
Research Academic
Clinical

8. Retail Industries
 Work as an Optometrist in national and multinational optical retail
companies in different countries.
 Work as a Store Optometrist.
 Senior store optometrist.
 Store manager Optometrist.
 Regional Optometrist.
 Trainer Optometrist.
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9. Corporate Industries
 Work as an Optometrist in national and multinational companies of
different optical lenses, contact lenses, optical instruments and diagnostic
equipment.
 Work as a Dispensing Consultant or PALs trainer.
 Sales or Marketing manager and trainer.
 Diagnostic instrument trainer and sales manager.
 Surgical equipment instructor and trainer.
 Contact lens product sales manger, trainer, instructor, presenter, educator
and counsellor.
 Representative in educational programs.
 Researcher and developer.
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10. Clinical & Hospital practise
 Consultant Optometrist.
 Ophthalmic assistant.
 Contact lens Consultant.
 Counsellor.
 LASIK assistant.
 Paediatric Optometrist
 Vision therapist.
 Low vision and rehabilitation consultant.
 Consultant Ocularist.
 Sport vision consultant.
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11. Academics
 Professor, teacher, educator, in institutions and colleges.
 Head of an optometry Institution.
 Associate professor.
 Assistant professor.
 Guest lecturer.
 Examiner.
 Educational programs manager.
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12. Specialization & Research areas in
Optometry
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Contact Lens
Low Vision &
Rehabilitation
Paediatric
Binocular Vision & Vision
Therapy
Neuro-Optometry
Sport Vision
Ocular Prosthesis

13. Specialization & Research
 Specialisation can be done in the form of fellowships and special courses
done in renowned institutions, hospitals and associations.
 Courses duration can vary from 6 months to 2 years depending upon the
institution and the stream selected.
 Specialisation provides you to explore in deep and vast theoretical
knowledge of the particular field along with regular practise by managing
patients practically.
 Gives you certification as an expert and allow you to practise
independently in particular fields.
 Can proceed further as a researcher in particular fields .
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14. Specialization & Research
 CONTACT LENSES
 Speciality or fellowships in contact lenses can give you multiple
opportunities to work as contact lens practitioner, educator and
representative of different speciality contact lens associations.
For example : IACLE.
 Can practise and manage patients who needs speciality contact lenses in
clinics, hospitals and in personal practise.
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15. Specialization & Research
 CONTACT LENSES
 It includes fitting of various speciality lenses such as ROSE K family
contact lenses, MINI SCLERALS & SCLERAL contact lenses, ORTHO-K
contact lenses.
 Can do further specialisation in Orthokeratology and work as Myopia
Control consultant.
 Also includes prosthetic and therapeutic contact lenses.
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16.  LOW VISION AND REHABILITATION
 It deals with the study, research and management of the patients with low
vision .
 Includes detailed practise in managing ,counselling and rehabilitating
vision according to the needs of a personal individual with the help of low
vision aids and advanced optical devices.
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Specialization & Research

17.  PAEDIATRIC OPTOMETRY
 It includes detailed study, diagnosis and management of various ocular and
vision related disorders in young age groups.
 Specialisation and research in management of children.
 It includes the management of different cases considering the psychology
of the infants, toddlers and school going children.
 Paediatric practise is mostly
performed in hospitals and
clinics.
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Specialization & Research

18. Specialization & Research
 ORTHOPTICS (BINOCULAR VISION & VISION THERAPY)
 Orthoptics is the stream of optometry which deals with the diagnosis and non-
surgical management of ocular disorders related to eye muscles movement,
squint and amblyopia.
 Binocular Vision, Vision therapy, and Amblyopia management .
 Vision therapy includes different types of exercises and procedures which helps
in maintaining binocular single vision.
 Can practise vision therapy in clinics, hospitals and personal practise.
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19. Specialization & Research
 OCULAR PROSTHETICS.
 Includes study, manufacturing, making and fitting of various ocular
prosthetic equipment, contact lenses and artificial eyes.
 It is practised to hide the abnormality and enhance the cosmetic
appearance of an individuals eye or parts of the eye.
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20. v
 NEURO OPTOMETRY
 It includes the detailed study of the visual system and nervous system
along with optometric science.
 Neuro-optometric services are provided to individuals who have vision
related problems associated with neurological diseases, trauma, metabolic
or congenital conditions.
 Neuro-optometric practises includes comprehensive evaluations, special
tests such as electro-diagnostic services, therapies, counselling and
rehabilitation.
 Can work in coordination with health care
professionals and rehabilitation specialist
such as occupational, physical and speech
therapist.
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Specialization & Research

21.  SPORTS VISION
 A sports vision specialist deals with the particular visual needs of a sports
person depending on the type of sport.
 A sports vision specialist’s tests can deal with hand-eye coordination,
anticipation, concentration, agility and quickness .
 It includes close observation in measuring of a sports person’s reaction to
various sports situation actual on field.
 Prescribes and decides the various kind of optical equipments and
accessories to visually enhance the performance of a sports person.
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Specialization & Research

22. Specialization & Research
 OCCUPATIONAL OPTOMETRY
 Occupational Optometrists deals with the science and art which are based
on the principles of lighting, eye safety, vision and eye care suitable for a
wide array of occupations.
 Following the principles of occupational optometry at the workplace
ensures the safety and good health of the eyes, better vision leading to
greater accuracy, work perfection, reduction in accident rate and ultimately
to an increase in production.
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23. Specialization & Research
 OCCUPATIONAL OPTOMETRY
Practicing as an occupational optometrist includes several tasks and
procedures like :
 Visual task Analysis of different jobs in work area.
 Determination of the Visual capability and defects of employees.
 Management and Referral.
 Dispensing and designing of personal protective equipment.
 Counselling and Education of employees.
 Providing Reports to the Employer.
 Follow –ups at regular intervals.
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24. Private practise.
 Optometry gives you the right to have an independent personal practise.
 An optometrist can open and practise a personal optometry clinic which
can include various services like:
 Optical dispensing outlet.
 Clinical and disease diagnosis and management.
 Contact lenses.
 Low vision clinic.
 Binocular vision and vision therapy clinic.
 Ocular prosthetics.
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25. Private practise
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26. Further options
 These options can be accepted as a career development initiatives after
working as an optometrist:
 Optometry and Law : How optometry and law interrelate in an
optometric practice therefore, providing essential knowledge in optometry
law for protection against a malpractice lawsuit.
 Community optometry : These kind of practices are required to reduce
blindness and visual disabilities in the population by conducting school
vision screening and binocular vision assessment camps, vision screening
camps and awareness programs in rural areas developing an evidence-
based public health approach.
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27. Further options
 Implementation of various associations and educational programs.
 Conducting vision care service camps.
 Conducting awareness programs to educate and make people aware about
eye health and vision care.
 Also can shake a leg in running a wholesale business of frames, lenses and
optical instruments.
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28. THANK-YOU
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