 Preparation
All States and the
District of Columbia require that optometrists be licensed. Applicants
for a license must have a Doctor of Optometry degree from an accredited
optometry school and must pass both a written National Board examination
and a National, regional, or State clinical board examination. The
written and clinical examinations of the National Board of Examiners in
Optometry usually are taken during the student's academic career. Many
States also require applicants to pass an examination on relevant State
laws. Licenses are renewed every 1 to 3 years and, in all States,
continuing education credits are needed for renewal.
The Doctor of Optometry
degree requires the completion of a 4-year program at an accredited
optometry school, preceded by at least 3 years of preoptometric study at
an accredited college or university. Most optometry students hold a
bachelor's or higher degree. In the U.S. schools and colleges of
optometry programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council on
Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association.
 Admission
to optometry school is competitive. Requirements
for admission to schools of optometry include courses in English,
mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology. A few schools also require
or recommend courses in psychology, history, sociology, speech, or
business. Because a strong background in science is important, many
applicants to optometry school major in a science such as biology or
chemistry, while other applicants major in another subject and take many
science courses offering laboratory experience. Applicants must take the
Optometry Admissions Test, which measures academic ability and
scientific comprehension. Admission to optometry school is competitive.
As a result, most applicants take the test after their sophomore or
junior year, allowing them an opportunity to take the test again and
raise their score. A few applicants are accepted to optometry school
after 3 years of college and complete their bachelor's degree while
attending optometry school.
Optometry programs include
classroom and laboratory study of health and visual sciences, as well as
clinical training in the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders.
Courses in pharmacology, optics, vision science, biochemistry, and
systemic disease are included.
Business ability,
self-discipline, and the ability to deal tactfully with patients are
important for success. The work of optometrists requires attention to
detail and manual dexterity.
 Advanced
Degrees
 Optometrists
wishing to teach or conduct research may study for a master's or Ph.D.
degree in visual science, physiological optics, neurophysiology, public
health, health administration, health information and communication, or
health education. One-year postgraduate clinical residency programs are
available for optometrists who wish to obtain advanced clinical
competence. Specialty areas for residency programs include family
practice optometry, pediatric optometry, geriatric optometry, vision
therapy and rehabilitation, low-vision rehabilitation, cornea and
contact lenses, refractive and ocular surgery, primary eye care
optometry, and ocular disease.
Accredited
Programs
In the United States,
Doctor of Optometry degrees are accredited by the Accreditation Council
on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association. The following table provides links to
currently accredited pharmacy programs.
Note: Some resources in this section are provided by the US Department
of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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