Details of Optometry Courses, Eligibility Criteria, Syllabus, and Top Entrance Exams

Optometry Courses is a crucial healthcare profession that deals with diagnosing, treating, and managing eye-related diseases, injuries, and disorders. As one of the fastest-growing healthcare professions in India, optometry has become an essential part of the healthcare industry.

A Bachelor of Optometry (BOPTM) is a four-year undergraduate program that provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the eye, visual optics, ocular diseases, contact lenses, and other important topics related to optometry.

What distinguishes an ophthalmologist from an optometrist or an optician?

Opticians create eye-correcting contact lenses, eyeglasses, UV ray-blocking glasses, and sunglasses based on ophthalmologists’ and optometrists’ prescriptions.

Optometrists are professionals that provide total eye care and repair.

Ophthalmologists are doctors who diagnose and treat patients with eye problems, perform operations, and provide general eye care, according to the Optometry courses Council of India (OCI).

Students who complete the Bachelor of Optometry BOPTM course are qualified to offer comprehensive care for the visual systems, including vision, illness identification, and prescription eye correction products such as eyeglasses, contact lenses, and low vision aids.

Although they lack the necessary training to perform eye procedures, they can diagnose significant eye problems and send patients to ophthalmologists.

Bachelor of Optometry Courses Eligibility Criteria

To continue with the Bachelor of Optometry course eligibility,

Applicants must have completed their Class 10+2 requirements from a state or federally-recognized educational board.

They must have studied physics, chemistry, biology, or another science-related subject.

Some medical and health science institutes specify the minimum qualifying grades and age requirements, stating that applicants must be at least 17 years old and have received at least 50% of the possible marks across all disciplines at the 10+2 level.

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Top Exams

There are various national and state-level entrance exams for admission to the Bachelor of Optometry BOPTM program in India.

National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET): NEET is a national-level entrance exam for admission to undergraduate medical and dental courses, including BOPTM.

The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the exam and assesses the candidate’s physics, chemistry, and biology knowledge.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Entrance Exam: AIIMS is a national-level entrance exam conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

The exam assesses the candidate’s physics, chemistry, and biology knowledge and skills.

Joint Entrance Examination (JEE): JEE is a national-level entrance exam for admission to various undergraduate engineering and technology courses. However, some colleges and universities also accept JEE scores for access to BOPTM.

State-Level Entrance Exams: Various states conduct entrance exams for admission to BOPTM. Some examples of state-level entrance exams are Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET), Karnataka Common Entrance Test (KCET), and Andhra Pradesh Engineering, Agriculture and Medical Common Entrance Test (AP EAMCET).

The selection process for admission to the BOPTM program varies from college to college. Some colleges and universities may also conduct their entrance exams to access the program.

Top BOPTM Colleges in India

There are numerous colleges and universities in India that offer BOPTM courses. However, some colleges and universities are considered the best in the country regarding infrastructure, faculty, placements, and academic excellence. Here are some of the top BOPTM colleges in India:

  1. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
  2. Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal
  3. Elite School of Optometry, Chennai
  4. Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye Hospital, New Delhi
  5. Amity University, Noida
  6. Sankara College of Optometry, Coimbatore
  7. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai
  8. SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai
  9. Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune

These colleges and universities have state-of-the-art infrastructure, experienced faculty, and excellent placement records. Students studying at these colleges can expect quality education and training that prepares them for a successful career in Optometry courses.

It’s important to note that the ranking of colleges can vary based on various parameters, and students are advised to research thoroughly before selecting a college to pursue their BOPTM degree.

Optometry Courses Details

Duration: The BOPTM program spans four years, divided into two semesters per academic year.

Program Options: Various colleges and universities across India offer the BOPTM program in full-time, part-time, and online formats.

Structure: Following a credit system, the BOPTM program requires students to complete 180-200 credits to graduate. It encompasses both theoretical and practical coursework.

Course Content: The BOPTM program covers an extensive range of optometry-related subjects, including the anatomy and physiology of the eye, visual optics, ocular diseases, contact lenses, optometric optics, and public health optometry.

To ensure practical competency, the program incorporates hands-on sessions that enable students to develop their skills in providing primary eye care services.

Internship: A mandatory one-year internship is an integral part of the BOPTM program, providing students with invaluable real-world experience. During this period, students work in clinics, hospitals, and optical stores, delivering primary eye care services under the supervision of experienced optometrists.

Assessment: The BOPTM program evaluates students through both internal and external assessments. Internal assessments comprise class tests, assignments, and practical exams, while external evaluations include semester-end exams and viva voce examinations.

Optometry Course Syllabus

The syllabus of the BOPTM program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the human eye, vision, and the skills required to become successful optometrists.

The program covers a wide range of topics related to Optometry courses, including anatomy and physiology of the eye, visual optics, ocular diseases, contact lenses, optometric optics, and public health optometry. Here’s a detailed the syllabus:

First Year:

  • Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye
  • Basic Mathematics and Statistics for Optometrists
  • General Microbiology and Immunology
  • Human Resource Development
  • Communication and Professional Ethics

Second Year:

  • Optometric Optics
  • Clinical Optometry
  • Ocular Anatomy and Physiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Public Health Optometry

Third Year:

  • Visual Optics
  • Contact Lens Optics and Practice
  • Ocular Diseases and Therapeutics
  • Pharmacology
  • Research Methodology

Fourth Year:

  • Binocular Vision and Vision Therapy
  • Pediatric Optometry and Geriatric Optometry
  • Low Vision Aids and Rehabilitation
  • Practice Management and Entrepreneurship
  • Clinical Training and Internship

The BOPTM program is constantly updated to include the latest advancements in optometry. The practical sessions and internship provide students with hands-on experience in Optometry courses, essential for becoming successful optometrists.

Overall, the syllabus of the BOPTM program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of optometry and the skills required to provide primary eye care services.

NEET 2023 PG Exam Dates

Optometrist Salaries

  • Optometrist : 3 Lakh and above
  • Senior Optometrist: 3.60 Lakh and above

Top BOPTM Recruiters

People with BOPTM degrees typically work in hospitals’ critical care and eye care departments. Leading recruiters include:

  • Apollo Indraprastha Hospitals
  • Medical Sciences Institute of All India
  • Postgraduate Medical Education and Research Institute
  • Medanta Healthcare
  • Fortis Healthcare Limited
  • Jaypee Healthcare

FAQ’s

1. What is Optometry?

Bachelor of Optometry is a healthcare profession that examines, diagnoses, treats, and manages eye diseases, disorders, and injuries.

Optometrists provide primary eye care, including prescribing corrective lenses and detecting and managing eye-related systemic disorders.

2. What is a Bachelor of Optometry (BOPTM)?

BOPTM is a four-year undergraduate program that provides students with the knowledge and skills required to become optometrists.

The program covers the anatomy and physiology of the eye, optometric optics, visual optics, ocular diseases, and contact lenses.

3. What are the Optometry course eligibility criteria for admission?

The eligibility criteria for BOPTM admission vary from college to college. However, candidates are generally required to have completed their 10+2 education in science with physics, chemistry, and biology as compulsory subjects. Some colleges may also have an age limit for admission.

4. What are the career prospects for BOPTM graduates?

BOPTM graduates can work as optometrists in private clinics, eye hospitals, optical stores, and government hospitals. They can also work as optometric consultants, educators, and researchers.

The average salary for BOPTM graduates in India is around 3-4 lakhs per annum, but it can vary depending on the job profile and experience.

5. What are some top entrance exams for BOPTM admission?

Some top entrance exams for admission to Optometry courses in India include NEET-UG, AIIMS MBBS, JIPMER MBBS, and KEAM.

These exams are usually held once a year, and candidates must meet the eligibility criteria to be able to apply for them.

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