To obtain an optometry degree, you must first qualify for admission, then locate an accredited school, pay tuition, and complete coursework. Optometrists are in charge of performing eye exams, prescribing glasses, and checking for diseases of the eyes. Graduates of optometry programs can start their own practice, work in a health-care clinic, or open an eye-glass store.
Working as an optometrist requires an optometry degree, which is a medical degree. To obtain an optometry degree, you must first earn a bachelor’s degree and be accepted into an optometry school. This program is extremely competitive, and excellent grades are expected. As part of the admissions process, many schools in the United States require applicants to take the Optometry Admissions test. This test, which is given in a multiple-choice format, assesses scientific knowledge as well as academic abilities.
The admissions test, along with a bachelor’s degree transcript, letters of recommendation, and a personal interview, are used to determine who is eligible for admission to this program. In the next five to ten years, optometry is expected to grow at a faster rate than the national average. Many students take the admissions test in their third year of university in order to retake it in their fourth year and get a better grade.
When seeking an optometry degree, the first thing to look for is the school’s accreditation status. Accreditation is granted a third-party organization. It examines the school’s academic and administrative policies against a minimum standard as part of the review process. Accredited school credits can be transferred to other post-secondary institutions, and certification and licensing boards accept them.
The cost of an optometry degree ranges from $20,000 to $35,000 per year in US Dollars (USD). Most schools require payment at least four weeks before the start of each semester. Some online courses can be used to earn an optometry degree, but the choices are limited to liberal arts subjects like English. If you decide to take a course this way, make sure the registrar approves it before paying the course fee. If it isn’t accepted, you won’t get credit for the course, and your money will be wasted.
Anatomy of the eye, psychology, the nervous system, oncology, and the effect of aging on vision are all covered in the first year of optometry school. In the third and fourth years of the program, specialization is available. Laser eye surgery, eye cancer, and nerve degeneration disorders are all popular areas of specialization.