Optometry Courses: Fees 2025, Admission, Top Colleges, Distance Learning, Online

Parul ThapaAssistant Manager
Optometry course is offered at many levels and modes for students who are interested in pursuing a specialised discipline that deals with comprehensive eye care. Optometry is considered to be a paramedical course and is offered at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate levels. The Optometry course can be pursued in not only full-time classroom mode but there are some of the colleges that offer certificate courses and in distance learning mode. The duration of undergraduate Optometry courses is 4 years and that of the postgraduate level is 2 years.
Optometry Courses Offered at Undergraduate Level
The Optometry courses offered at the undergraduate level can be further divided into a degree, diploma and online or distance learning courses.
Optometry Degree Courses
The list of Optometry undergraduate degree courses, along with their duration is given in the table below -
|
Course Name |
Duration |
|---|---|
|
BSc in Optometry |
Four years |
|
Bachelor of Optometry |
Four years |
Optometry Diploma Courses
The Diploma in Optometry is offered at an UG level for a duration of 3 years. The eligibility criteria require a pass in Class 10 and Class 12 in Science stream in PCB.
Optometry Distance Education Courses
The pedagogy of the Distance learning course is a combination of online courses, dispatching study materials by post and appearing for the exams at the institutes or designated centres. Candidates can connect with the faculty members via telephone or email to get any of their course curriculum-related doubts or queries.
Optometry Courses Offered at Postgraduate Level
The postgraduate level Optometry courses are offered in degree, diploma, distance and certificate modes. Let us review each of these course types in terms of nomenclature and duration.
Optometry Degree Courses at PG Level
There are two types of Optometry degree courses at the postgraduate level. The names and the duration are given in the table below:
|
Course Name |
Duration |
|---|---|
|
MSc in Optometry |
Two years |
|
Master of Optometry (MOPTM) |
Two years |
Optometry Diploma Courses at PG Level
Postgraduate Diploma courses in Optometry are offered for a duration of 18 months to two years, divided into three to four semesters. The pedagogy involves both classroom learning as well as hands-on training. Students are evaluated based on written tests as well as practical exams. Students are taught core subjects as well as elective subjects.
Optometry Certificate Courses
There are a number of certifications offered for Optometry courses. The duration of the courses differ from one hour to six months.
The Optometry Certificate courses are mostly offered in an online mode and the course content is divided in modules. After the completion of each module, students have to take a test to get their learning checked. Unlike the full-time courses, the certifications do not have practical lessons.
Optometry Courses at Doctorate Courses
After completing postgraduation in Optometry, students may opt for a doctorate or PhD in Optometry. Prior to pursuing a PhD, they may also opt for MPhil in Optometry. The duration of the MPhil course is one to two years. On the other hand, the PhD course duration ranges from three to four years. The course can be pursued in either full-time or part-time mode. Based on this, the total duration would vary.
A doctorate in Optometry course is the highest degree to earn. The course syllabus has research, training, and being equipped with prescribing medicines and performing surgeries on eyes or optical organs to treat optical ailments or improvement of vision. After completing a PhD in Optometry or becoming a Doctorate in Optometry, the students or professionals also become qualified to become academicians or professors.
Specialisations Offered at Optometry Courses
Optometry as a course has a vast scope. There are a number of specialisations one can opt for and build a career in it. Some of the popular Optometry course specialisations are as follows:
-
Behavioural Optometry
-
Geriatric Optometry
-
Low Vision Therapy
-
Neuro-Optometry
-
Pediatric Optometry
-
Ophthalmic Technology
-
Contact Lenses
-
Sports Vision
-
Ocular Vision
FAQs Regarding Optometry Course
Q: What are the different Optometry courses offered?
A: Optometry courses are offered in bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate levels. The course names are BSc, Msc in Optometry, Bachelor or Masters in Optometry, Diploma in Optometry and Certificate courses in Optometry.
Q What are the eligibility criteria for studying Optometry?
A: To be eligible for Optometry courses at the UG level, candidates should pass or appear in Class 12 Board exam with Physics, Chemistry and Biology as core subjects with a minimum aggregate of 55 per cent. For PG Optometry courses, candidates should have a degree in Optometry or a related course.
Q: Is it mandatory to study Mathematics to be eligible for Optometry course?
A: No, it is not mandatory to study Maths to be eligible for taking admission to Optometry course. Having a sound Maths aptitute is important to excel in the Optometry course as it deals with a number of calculations and practical knowledge of Physics.
Hope this helps!!!
Q: Will BSc Optometry students be called doctors after completing the course?
A: No, BSc Optometry qualified students cannot be called as qualified doctors since it is a paramedical course and not a core medical course. However, after completing PhD, students would be called as Doctors.
Q: Does Optometry require NEET?
A: No, NEET is not mandatory to be taken in order to study Optometry. Admission to Optometry courses generally take place on merit basis.
Q: What is the difference between BSc Optometry and BOPT?
A: The difference between BSc Optometry and BOPT is in terms of the curriculum and the syllabus or subjects taught and the nomenclature of the degree.
Q: What is the duration of the Optometry courses?
A: The duration of the UG level of Optometry courses is four years and that of the PG courses is two years. The duration of Diploma, Certificate and Doctorate courses may vary from one to another.
Q: Which are the top colleges offering Optometry courses?
A: The top colleges offering Optometry courses are AIIMS Delhi, Christian Medical College (CMC Vellore), JIPMER, Puducherry, to name a few.
Q: What are the options after completing BSc in Optometry?
A: After completing BSc in Optometry, students can pursue MSc in Optometry or MOPT, or PG Diploma in Optometry. Some students may also opt for Certificate courses in Optometry.
Q: Can I study Masters in Optometry without study Bachelors in Optometry?
A: Students should either study BSc in Optometry of Bachelor of Optometry, or a related course to be eligible for studying Masters in Optometry. In case students lack the knowledge on optics and vision care, they would not be eligible to study PG course in Optometry.
Q: What are the different job profiles I can pursue after completing Optometry course?
A: After completing an Optometry course, students can get jobs in various profiles including Optometrist, Vision Consultant, Dispensing Optician, Optometry Professor, to name a few.
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