Traditionally, the field of optometry began with the primary focus of correcting refractive error through the use of spectacles. Modern day optometry, however, has evolved through time so that the educational curriculum additionally includes significant training in the diagnosis and management of ocular disease, in most of the countries of the world, where the profession is established and regulated.

1. Optometry as a Career Choice
What is Optometry?
In clinical terms Optometry is a health care profession that involves eye testing and
associated visual systems for defects or abnormalities as well as the correction of
refractive error with glasses or contact lenses.
Traditionally, the field of optometry began with the primary focus of correcting
refractive error through the use of spectacles. Modern day optometry, however,
has evolved through time so that the educational curriculum additionally includes
significant training in the diagnosis and management of ocular disease, in most of
the countries of the world, where the profession is established and regulated.
Optometrists are health care professionals who provide primary eye care through
comprehensive eye examinations to detect and treat various vision abnormalities
and eye diseases. Along with doctors these are the heroes who ensure that we are
always able to witness the beauty of the world without any impediments.

2. B.SC in Optometry: How and why?
To become an Optometrist one has to have a flair for vision science and helping others!
More generally, one has to score at least 50% in science subjects (Maths, Biology, and
Physics) in the 10+2 examinations. After which they have to enroll for a Bachelor of
Optometry course offered by various universities in the country. A normal degree consists
of a total of four years, with three years being dedicated to formal training and one
additional year for clinical internship at health care clinics and vision centres.
Is BSc in Optometry the right choice for you?
A BSc in optometry is the right choice for those who are interested in the science of vision
and want to work in the noble profession of healthcare. The degree builds a solid
foundation in the basic topics of ocular anatomy, corrective optics, and common diseases
that affects vision in older people.
Thanks to the year long internship by the time that they graduate students have the
required theoretical grounding as well as the practical experience needed to be an
extremely desirable recruit

4. What students should look for while selecting an
university
Vision and lens companies in India and abroad such as Bosch and Lomb,Titan, Essilor, Reliance Vision, Gulf Optics ltd.(Doha, UAE),
Janaki Eye Hospital( Nepal) are some of the leading recruiters in this field.
The major qualities organizations look for while hiring new trainees is impressive clinical experience and problem-solving ability since
the nature of the job demands that the candidates have to face difficult circumstances while diagnosing their patients.
So while choosing a university, students should carefully go through the syllabi of the institutions to see which one of them provides
an effective balance of both formal learning as well as ample opportunities for students to gain disciplinary experience since these
are the two main criteria on which their employability quotient depends.
How much does a typical B.SC optometry course cost?
BSc. Optometry course fees can range from anywhere between 2 lakhs to 6 lakhs. Given below are the course fees of some of the
prominent institutions in India offering BSc optometry course:
• NSHM (Durgapur, Kolkata)-- 4.90 lakhs
• Heritage Institute of Technology- 3.80 lakhs
• Brainware University—3lakhs
• Manipal School of Allied Health Sciences-- 5.35 lakhs
• The Neotia University-- 4.26 lakhs

5. Why decide on a career in Optometry?
Recent statistics show that every third blind person in the world is an Indian. There are millions of other people
suffering from various kinds of vision defects. Optometry is the right career option for ones interested in
alleviating human suffering. In an overly populated country like India there is a severe lack of qualified
optometrists. At present, there is a shortage of around 116,000 trained optometrists. With the growth of
healthcare in India and the increase in allotment of revenue optometry is also an excellent career choice for
students who want to have a lucrative career in health.
The demand for optometrists is very high and is expected to rise further in the coming years.
Fully qualified optometrists with a minimum of four years of training are qualified to:
 Prescribe the latest advances in spectacle lenses including progressive, aspheric, and safety/protective
spectacles based on the visual needs of the patient.
• Prescribe rigid and soft contact lenses including frequent replacement, and extended wear contact lenses.
• Conduct complex contact lens fitting for pediatric eye conditions, postsurgical complications, eye trauma,
and corneal de-generation.
 Prescribe vision therapy, vision training or treatment for children with learning problems or common
binocular vision disorders.

6. • Provide low vision and rehabilitative services-vision aids assisting visually
impaired people to use their functional vision more effectively,
• Detect or diagnose ocular conditions and associated systemic health conditions,
and refer them to appropriate health care professionals, and
• Offer counseling services on preventive vision care
•
The job opportunities are endless:
• Work in vision and lens manufacturing companies like Bosch and Lomb, Titan etc.
• In hospital and healthcare clinics
• Entrepreneurship opportunities- a chance to open one’s own private practice
• Become a specialist in Contact lens fitting, Low vision, and Ocular prosthesis

7. Average Salary
Average starting salary of optometrists in India is 3 lakhs per annum. Research
shows that there is a great scope for career development in optometry in our
country since both private and government organizations are increasingly focusing
on investing into healthcare.
By 2020, India is expected to rank amongst the top 3 healthcare markets in terms of
incremental growth ( approximately 1.5 times from current 1 billion dollars). In the
last decade (2000-2014) alone there has been a 370% increase in total health
expenditure and a 45.06% increase in the total investments in health startups.
The mandatory provision of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects has also
led to a sharp increase in MNC’S hiring vision experts to examine and help people
in poverty stricken areas.
Private practice is another great way to ensure financial stability, though the initial
cost is high, a bachelor's degree in Optometry later pays off in terms of career ROI.

8. The healthcare and paramedical sector is witnessing a tremendous
growth in the Indian market in recent years. This rapid growth has
resulted in a shortage of trained healthcare professionals which has in
turn led to increased job prospects for graduates in the field of
paramedical sciences. All of these reasons make Optometry the perfect
choice for students who want to secure a bright future.
Published by Brainware University