An Overview of Optometry (Info #10-updated 8/7/12)

This document is one in a series designed to provide basic information about mainline health professions and the Premedical Office at Xavier University of Louisiana.

What is Optometry? Optometry is an independent primary health care profession concerned with the treatment and prevention of general diseases and abnormalities related to the eye. The profession is based upon scientific knowledge of human vision and, like medicine and dentistry, optometry is a "helping profession." Optometrists are one of three major types of health professionals in the United States dedicated to the enhancement and preservation of one of the most precious human senses, vision. The other two are opticians, persons who grind and prepare lenses for glasses, and ophthalmologists, allopathic or osteopathic physicians who have specialized in treatment and care of the eye.

What Do Optometrists Do? The optometrist or Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) is scientifically trained and licensed to examine, diagnose, and treat conditions of the eye and related structures to determine visual efficiency, visual performance, diseases, and abnormalities. The optometrist may use eyeglasses, contact lenses, vision therapy, prisms, diagnostic medication, or special instruments to preserve, protect, and restore functional vision. In addition, by thoroughly evaluating the internal and external structure of the eyes, optometrists detect eye diseases like glaucoma and cataracts, as well as systemic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and arteriosclerosis. Although, the optometrist does not treat the latter conditions him/herself, prompt diagnosis by the optometrist often catches such diseases in the early stages before they become major health problems. Thus, the optometrist plays a vital and essential role in the total health care of Americans.

Is There a Need for Optometrists? Yes!! If you don't believe it, look around you the next time you attend a concert, a basketball game, or are a part of any large crowd. If the crowd is typical, almost half will be wearing glasses or contact lenses. Further, it is safe to say that one-fourth of the others have an eye problem that has not yet been corrected or about which they do not yet know. Yes, poor vision is probably one of the most prevalent health problems in America today. And since vision affects how we learn, work, play, and relate to others, optometrists play a very important and far reaching role in the lives of millions of people. Further, the need for optometrists, particularly minority optometrists, will continue to increase in the foreseeable future.

What Are The Requirements for Entry into Optometry School? The requirements for entry into optometry school are essentially the same as for entry into medical or dental school--that is, the student must complete general biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics and at least two years of college (a degree is usually preferred). For additional comments regarding general requirements you should refer to the previous documents in this Information series, particularly Info5: Requirements for Entry Into Medical or Dental School. In addition, optometry schools require students to take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) and most require at least one semester of statistics and calculus. There are some schools that require at least one advanced course such as optics. Students interested in optometry should contact the schools in which they are interested in as soon as possible by visiting official school-specific websites to determine what, if any, specialized undergraduate courses are required for entry. For the list of optometry schools in the U.S., visit the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) at http://www.opted.org. Since there are relatively few optometry schools in the United States, some states without optometry schools contract with the existing schools for some number of their students. For instance, in the past Louisiana had contracts with both the U of Alabama School of Optometry in Birmingham and the U of Houston School of Optometry which allowed a few Louisiana residents to attend the schools each year.

What Is the Curriculum in a Optometry School? Optometrists are educated to serve as primary care (first contact) vision care providers. Therefore, their education is designed broadly for the detection of many health problems. Generally, the first two years in optometry school concentrate mainly on the basic sciences, optics, visual sciences, and clinical skills. The third and fourth years emphasize clinical training in primary vision care and specialty services such as contact lenses, binocular vision, and rehabilitation of the partially sighted. Concentrated courses in pharmacology and systematic and ocular pathology are also taken during this time. During the fourth year, all students complete part of their clinical education in a hospital, clinic, or with an optometrist in private practice. Although optometrists are not required to complete a residency before beginning practice (as allopathic and osteopathic physicians must do), residencies in several specialities are available for those who wish to pursue such a career. These areas of speciality include but are not limited to: Family Practice Optometry, Low Vision Rehabilitation, Cornea and Contact Lenses, Pediatric Optometry, Ocular Disease, and Refractive and Ocular Surgery.

Where To Obtain Additional Information about Optometry