B.Sc. Optometry - Eligibility, Admission, Top Colleges, Career

Mohit Dhulia
Updated on December 29, 2023

A Bachelor of Science in Optometry provides comprehensive training and medical knowledge about the human eye. This course will not only teach the fundamentals of the human eye, but it will also teach how to operate various types of medical equipment that every optometry student and practitioner should be familiar with. To provide students with practical knowledge in this field, the course consists of three years of education and one year of internship.

Graduates of the B.Sc. Optometry program can work in industries such as contact lens and ophthalmic lens manufacturing, eye clinics, health consultancies, optician showrooms, multinational companies dealing with eye care products, and so on.

B.Sc. Optometry: An Overview

The highlights of the B.Sc. Optometry course are listed in the table below.

Course Name	B.Sc. (optometry)
Also referred as	Bachelor of Science in Optometry
Level of Course	Undergraduate
Specializations in the Course	Vision therapy, sports vision, ocular disease, geriatric, paediatric, low vision, occupational vision, Contact lenses, education and research.
Duration of Course	3-year
Eligibility Criteria	10+2 completed from a recognized board of education
Process of Admission	Entrance exam followed by a counselling
Fee for B.Sc. Optometry	INR 10,000 to 1 Lakh
Positions of Job	Optician, Sales Executive, Optometrist,Teacher, Eye Doctor, etc.
Top Areas of recruitment	Optician showrooms, multinational companies dealing with eye care products, Contact lens and ophthalmic lens industry,lens manufacturing units, multinational companies dealing with eye care products, etc.
Salary for B.Sc. Optometry	INR 2.5 to 8 Lakhs per annum

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B.Sc. Optometry Eligibility

Students who wish to apply for admission to the B.Sc. Optometry program must meet the following minimum requirements:

Candidates must have completed their 10+2 with the required minimum marks from a recognized board of education.
The minimum marks required for admission to B.Sc. Optometry programs vary by institute, but students in the PCB/PCM/PCMB group should have at least 50%.
B.Sc. Optometry entrance exams are also held by some reputable colleges and institutes for admission to the degree program.
Aspirants who are taking their 10+2 exams can also apply, but they must present their exam results at the time of counselling (with at least 50 percent aggregate required in the Science stream).
The final merit, i.e., the total marks aggregated in the final exams of 10+2 and the entrance exam, is used to select students for the B.Sc. Optometry course in colleges.
On November 1st of the admission year, the candidates must have reached the age of 17. There is no upper limit on how old you can be.

B.Sc. Optometry Curriculum and Syllabus

The curriculum for the B.Sc. Optometry course is designed to cover all of the important aspects of training students for a career in the optometry industry. The B.Sc. Optometry program is divided into six semesters.

A semester-by-semester breakdown of the B.Sc. Optometry curriculum is provided in the table below, along with a list of important subjects:

FIRST SEMESTER	SECOND SEMESTER
Basic Accountancy	Contact Lens
Clinical Psychology	Functional English and Communication
Community and Occupational Optometry	Geriatric Optometry and Paediatric Optometry
Computer Basics	General Biochemistry & Ocular Biochemistry
THIRD SEMESTER	FOURTH SEMESTER
General Physiology and Ocular Physiology	Hospital Procedures
General Anatomy and Ocular Anatomy	Low Vision Aids
Geometrical Optics	Mathematics
Hospital Procedures	Nutrition
FIFTH SEMESTER	SIXTH SEMESTER
Ocular Diseases and Eye & Systemic Diseases	Physical Optics
Optometric and Dispensing Optics	Public Relations
Optometric Instruments and Clinical Examination of Visual System	Research Methodology and Statistics
Pathology & Microbiology	Squint and Binocular Vision
Pharmacology	Visual Optics

B.Sc. Optometry Admission Procedure

Based on Entrance

For admission to B.Sc. Optometry courses, candidates will be required to take a university-level entrance exam.
The majority of universities and colleges will administer their own entrance exams; however, few state departments will administer entrance exams for Allied Health Science and Healthcare programs. As a result, before applying for admissions, aspirants should check the admission and eligibility criteria.
Universities/colleges will release merit lists containing the names of all candidates in order of their ranks or scores after they have taken the entrance exam.
Candidates will be called for further selection processes, which may include a personal interview and/or group discussions, based on their scores or ranks.
Universities will offer admission to prospective students based on their overall performance in the entrance exam, as well as their personal interview and/or group discussion.

Based on Merit

Candidates will be asked to participate in selection processes after applying, based on the admission guidelines of the respective colleges.
Personal Interviews and/or Group Discussions may be used in the selection of various colleges.
Colleges and universities will offer admission to prospective candidates based on their overall performance in various selection parameters, such as their previous academic record and performance in the personal interview and/or group discussion.

B.Sc. Optometry: Preparation Plan

One of the most crucial steps in passing the entrance exam is to study diligently according to the most recent exam pattern and syllabus. Students taking the B.Sc. Optometry entrance exams should focus on four subjects in particular: physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics.

The following are the most important things to remember while studying for the Entrance Exams:
Students must set aside at least 2-3 hours each day to devote to exam preparation.
Students should refer to the most recent test papers and solve them to gain a better understanding of the course content as well as the most recent style of the entrance exam.
They should practice mock test papers to learn about their flaws, strengths, and weaknesses.
They should have enough time to concentrate on the revision portion as well; focusing only on the stronger sections while ignoring the weaker ones could have a significant impact on performance.
To pass an entrance exam like a pro, you must be able to manage your time effectively.
Students must remember that they must begin planning as soon as possible. If they study ahead of time, they can begin studying for their respective entrance exams as well as their 10+2 final exams.
It is necessary to keep track of application deadlines, examination dates, and other important dates. Any changes in the dates are easy to overlook. For all updates, go to the university’s website.
The research proposal must be carefully revised and prepared, and the material must be thoroughly understood.
It is also critical for a student to be mentally and physically prepared for the next steps after the entrance exam, such as counselling and personal interviews. They do not need to be stressed while studying for the exam.
Candidates should keep an eye out for the best colleges where they can pursue a B.Sc. degree and prepare accordingly.

B.Sc. Optometry: Top Institutes

Candidates who have passed class XII examinations from a recognized board can enroll in a B.Sc. in Optometry program at a number of top universities and colleges across the country. The following are some of India’s best B.Sc. optometry institutes.

Institute	Place	Structure of Fee
Teerthanker Mahaveer University	Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh	INR 76,400
Centurion University of Technology and Management	Bhubaneswar, Orissa	INR 90,000
Jawaharlal Institute of PostGraduate Medical Education and Research	Pondicherry	INR 3,760
DY Patil University	Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra	INR 1.10 Lakh
Pt. Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences	Rohtak, Haryana	INR 12,395
JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research	Mysore, Karnataka	INR 1.04 Lakh
Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences	Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu	INR 1.05 Lakh
Hamdard Institute of Medical Science and Research	New Delhi, Delhi NCR	INR 2.04 Lakhs
CMJ University	Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya	INR 65,000
Royal Global University	Guwahati, Assam	INR 1.01 Lakh
Dr. M.G.R Educational & Research Institute	Chennai, Tamil Nadu	INR 1.40 Lakh

B.Sc. Optometry: Important Book Recommendations

Some of the most important B.Sc. Optometry books are listed below.

Book Name	Author’s Nme
Optometric Optics: Clinical Optics	Troy Fenin
Physical & Geometric Optics	Micheal Keating
Ocular Diseases	Kanski and Parson
Binocular Vision	Edith Pearlman
Contact Lenses	Ken Daniels

B.Sc. Optometry: Important Entrance Exams

For admission to the B.Sc. Optometry program, most institutes rely heavily on entrance exams. The table below lists the top B.Sc. Optometry entrance exams at the university, state, and national levels.

AIIMS Entrance Exam: This national entrance exam is held by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. It is one of India’s most prestigious medical schools. Because of the limited number of medical seats available in our country, the AIIMS UG is one of the most difficult exams to pass. It is a computer-based test (Online Mode), and each incorrect answer will result in a deduction of marks.
CMC Entrance Exam- The CMC Vellore 2022 entrance examination test is held by Christian Medical College, Vellore, and Tamil Nadu for admission to postgraduate diploma and degree medical courses. CMC offers undergraduate, graduate, and diploma programs.
NEET-NEET is an annual test administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA) to determine who is eligible for admission. It is the most prestigious medical entrance exam. In three hours, a NEET aspirant must attempt to answer 180 questions. Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are the three sections of the exam paper.

B.Sc. Optometry: Top Job Profiles

Profile of Job	Description of Job	Average Salary Per Annum
Optometrist	An optometrist is a healthcare professional who specializes in the eyes. They perform vision exams, diagnose conditions based on exam results, and then recommend treatment options for those conditions.	INR 3.5 Lakhs
Optician	A technician who verifies an eye doctor’s prescription and is trained to correct lenses based on the eye defect, advise patients on any necessary repairs or adjustments, maintain displays, and collaborate with vision care sales professionals.	INR 4 Lakhs
Sales Executive	Salespeople promote products and services to customers and negotiate contracts in order to maximize profits.	INR 2.50 Lakhs
Teacher	A teacher’s job is to create curriculum and lesson plans, then present those lessons to their students, either individually or in groups. They also keep track of their students’ progress and create reports to inform their parents about it.	INR 3.01 Lakhs
Optometry Researcher	The role of an optometry researcher is to conduct research into various eye diseases and how to treat them.	INR 5 Lakhs

B.Sc. Optometry: Benefits and Scope

There are numerous reasons to pursue a B.Sc. in Optometry. The majority of students choose to study B.Sc. Optometry because of the following benefits:

Thru hands-on training and regular field visits, students can gain experience in optometric practices, clinical optometry, contact lenses, pediatric optometry, and binocular vision eye diseases and treatments.
Students will learn how to participate in industrial safety programs and work with road safety organizations, and they will be able to pursue their own practice or serve in government or privately managed organizations to contribute to society’s welfare.
The B.Sc. in Optometry degree serves as a foundation for further studies in this field, such as M.Sc., PhD, and M.Phil. degrees in Optometry, which upon completion qualify one for a lecturer position at any university or college.
Optometric practices have a large scope in India and abroad, and it is a dynamic and challenging career that can lead to personal growth and social respect.
They can continue their education and research in the field of optometry and work as teachers or lecturers at a variety of universities and colleges.
They can start their own eye clinic, optical shop, lens manufacturing unit, or other independent practice after completing the course.

FAQs

What is the average annual fee for a B.Sc. Optometry course at colleges?

The course fee structure varies from college to college, so one must choose the one that is most appropriate for them. The course costs between INR 10,000 and INR 1 lakh per year on average.

Is the internship required for this course?

Yes, this program requires a minimum of six months and a maximum of one year of internship.

What does a B.Sc. in optometry entail, and how much does it pay?

Optometrists in India have a variety of career options to choose from, and you can pick the one that best suits you. You can get your B.Sc. in Optometry from ITM University and work as a consulting optometrist or start your own independent practice. Depending on whether you work for a multinational corporation or have opened your own clinic, your compensation package will differ.

Can I join the Indian Army after graduating with a B. Optometry degree? If so, how do you go about doing it?

After graduation, you can apply for a position as an officer by taking the CDS Exam. To be called for an SSB interview, you must have a very high score, and only after you pass it will you be sent for a medical examination.

What jobs are available to B.Sc. optometry graduates?

Optometrists have numerous job opportunities in hospitals, the optical industry, solo or group practice, universities, and research. In addition to being an optometrist, they can also work as an eye care manager.

Is it possible for me to become the sole eye doctor after completing a B.Sc. in optometry?

Optometrists are not doctors in India. They are primary eye care providers who, in addition to performing surgeries and prescribing medications, diagnose and treat patients with ocular diseases by prescribing spectacles, contact lenses, low vision devices, vision therapy, and other treatments. To become an ophthalmologist (eye doctor), you must first complete an M.B.B.S degree and then an MS in Ophthalmology.

How many seats are available in AIIMS for a B.Sc. in optometry?

AIIMS New Delhi has a total of 19+1 optometry seats, with 1 NRI/foreign reservation. These 19 seats are divided into 9 general seats (which can be filled by reserved people if they are of general merit), 3 seats for SC students, 1 seat for ST students, and the remaining seats for OBC students.