Optometry

Doctor of Optometry commonly known as Optometrists are the independent primary healthcare professionals for the eyes.With the help of new technology,this profession has expanded both the scope and efficiency of the practice.

The World Council of Optometry which is known as “WCO” has defined optometrists as: “Primary healthcare practitioners for the eyes and visual system who can successfully manage the leading cause of vision impairment”. 

Optometrists examine,diagnose,treat and manage diseases,injuries and disorders of the visual system,the eye and associated structures.They also assist patients with eye glasses and contact lenses.

In short, this branch of science studies the structure of the eyes, the functions of vision, and the guidance given in the manufacture of spectacles and lenses.The Optometry course available in different premier institutes such as AIIMS, Delhi and Rishikesh, Armed Forces Medical College Pune etc; The authorised seats will be rare in such institutions and selection is  through its entrance exams.

There are mainly three types of courses in optometry:

  • BSc.Optometry
  • MSc.Optometry
  • Diploma in Ophthalmic Assistant (DOA)

Courses

B.Optometry/Bsc Optometry (Bachelor of Optometry/Bachelor of  Science in Optometry) is the professional undergraduate Optometry degree programme,which is 4 years (8 semester) duration including one year internship.(The duration of the course shall be three (3) year + one year compulsory rotating internship) (In kerala, this is 4 year course other than interns)

The course shall comprise theoretical and practical studies in different branches  of optometry and its related subjects.In addition to practical training in the Department of Optometry, the students will be posted to the Departments of Anatomy,Physiology,Physics,Microbiology,and optical workshop attached to  Ophthalmic clinics.

The course mainly focuses on Basic Sciences such as English,Physics,Basics in applied chemistry,Mathematics,General Anatomy,Ocular Anatomy,General Physiology,Ocular Physiology,Information Technology,Nutrition and Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pathology and Pharmacology.

Core Courses:

  • Binocular Vision & Squint
  • Clinical Examination of Visual system & Instruments
  • Community Optometry
  • Contact Lens
  • Eye Diseases
  • Low Vision aid and Dispensing Optics & Mechanical Optics
  • Optometric Optics
  • Project
  • Systemic Diseases  Medicine
  • Visual Optics

M.Sc Optometry/M.Optom (Master of Science in Optometry/Master of Optometry) is Post  graduate Optometry course which is two years after completion of a 4 year B.Sc/B.Optometry course.

It is an independent speciality focusing on the diagnosis and non-surgical management of disorders of the eye and visual system.

The course includes the papers Advance Contact Lense Studies I & II, Low Vision and Rehabilitation, Paediatric Optometry, Occupational Optometry & Public Health Optometry, Research  Methodology & Biostatistics,Ocular Diseases and Therapeutics, Clinical Imaging and Dissertation.

Diploma in Ophthalmic Assistant (DOA)

Duration of the course is 2 years. The course consists of two parts, Part I (1st year) and Part II 2nd year). Each part consists of 2 papers. There will be an examination at the end of Part I and Part II with written, oral and practical tests. A minimum of 50% marks in each of the subjects is required for a pass.

It is Diploma Ophthalmology medical course after +2 Science..In kerala this Diploma course directly under Directorate of Medical Education,Government of Kerala.Under DME there are 6 Government and 8 Self financing institutions all over Kerala.

Ophthalmic Assistants help Ophthalmologists  by caring patients through histories,performing various procedures and tests, and preparing patients to see the doctor. 

The topics for diploma course is Basic Sciences in Ophthalmology, Optics and Refraction & Ophthalmic Equipments, Health Education,Community Ophthalmology and Common Eye Disorders,Ophthalmic Techniques Optics and refraction (squint,muscle balance surgical instruments and theatre sterilization)-Glasses.

The pass criteria of the course:

Minimum marks in theory 45%

Minimum marks in practical 50%

Minimum marks in the subject in aggregate 50%

Required Skills and Aptitude

The skills and aptitude required as an optometrists:

  • An ability to put nervous patients at ease 
  • An interest in health and desire to improve people’s quality of life
  • Customer service oriented with excellent  analytical skills
  • Excellent Communication Skills
  • In-depth knowledge of eye related disorders and conditions
  • Mechanical Aptitude
  • To be able to adapt to new equipment and techniques
  • To be able to concentrate while doing repetitive tasks
  • To be able to work with precision

Eligibility Criteria

The basic eligibility requirement for admissions to any BSc/B.Optometry programme is:

  • Candidates should have passed 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognised board with English, Physics, Chemistry and  Biology (For the admission of MAHE Bsc Optometry courses, PCM candidates also considered)
  • They should have 50% marks in aggregate.

The basic  eligibility requirement for admission to Msc/M.Optometry programme is:

  • Bachelor of Optometry/B.Sc Optometry pursuing four years regular programme which is equivalent to the concerned university/institute.

The eligibility criteria may vary from institute to institute.

The basic  eligibility requirement for admission to Diploma in Ophthalmic Assistant (DOA) programme is:

  • Candidates who have passed Plus two/Higher secondary/equivalent Examination from the Universities/boards in Kerala with Physics, Chemistry, Biology as optional subjects or any other  examination recognised by the Universities in Kerala as equivalent thereto shall be eligible for admission.
  • They should have 50% marks in aggregate in Optional subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)

Entrance Examination

For Optometry  courses  the entrance examinations are mainly conducted by different institutions..Some of them given below: 

All India Institute of Medical Sciences,New Delhi & Rishikesh, Uttarakhand (AIIMS)-The entrance Exam AIIMS will be conducted in English and Hindi.For Optometry the Exam Centre will be in Delhi/NCR only (NCR-National Capital Region)

Armed Forces Medical college, Pune (AFMC) (only for serving personnel of Indian Army/Navy/Air Force)

Christian Medical College Vellore,Tamilnadu (CMC)- 2 steps entrance exam.The  1st step exam is Computer Based Test in different centres.(In Kerala Calicut, Ernakulam, Kottayam,Thiruvananthapuram are exam centres). The selected candidates invited for step-2 for Special Test and Interview will be held at Vellore.

Some Deemed Universities:-

Jamia Hamdard- In the eligibility criteria of B.Optometry demanded that the candidate should appear in NEET(National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) for MBBS conducted by CBSE.It has 15th rank in Medical Education in India as per NIRF-2019 ranking.

Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Pune: This institution conducts a separate exam for admission of B.Optometry that is named as BVPEYESET.

Most of the institute’s admission for optometry  on the basis of HSE/+2 marks in science.The score percentage may vary from institute to institute.

Job Profiles

  • Assistant for an Ophthalmologist
  • Content Writing (Medical)
  •  Hospitals and Health centres (Gov.t & Private)
  • Join the central or state government sector(eg;RRB)
  • Lens Manufacturing Units
  • Multinational companies manufacturing contact lenses and other eye products
  • Optometrist
  • Private Practitioner 
  • Professor
  • Researcher
  • Senior Optometrist
  • Vision consultant

Top Recruiters

  • Alcon
  • Bausch & Lomb
  • Carl Zeiss AG
  • CooperVision
  • Essilor Luxottica
  • Glaukos Corp
  • Hoya Corporation
  • Johnson & Johnson Vision
  • NIDEK CO., LTD.
  • Top Eye Hospitals 
  • Topcon

The Companies  mainly prefer the optometrists who have Fellowship  in some specialised   areas of Optometry  after Graduation  like contact lens, Common Eye Disorders,Refraction etc;

Institutions

AFMC-Armed  Forces Medical College, Pune:(Reserved): Armed Forces Medical College is a premier medical institute of India which is conducting the  course Bachelor of Paramedical Technology (Optometry Technician) with recognition and affiliation of Maharashtra University of Health Sciences,Nashik.It is  only for serving personnel of Indian Army/Navy/Air Force.

AIIMS-All India Institute of Medical Sciences,New Delhi & Rishikesh,Uttarakhand: AIIMSs are the most premier institutes in this regard.From 15 AIIMS,only New Delhi and Rishikesh of Uttarakhand centres conduct Bachelor of Optometry. The authorised seats in both centres  are 24 and 10 respectively.The fee and Dues during the course is very low and unbelievable.The Institute provide stipend for this course 500/-per month and 10,250/-per month during the period of internship (fourth year).

Christian Medical College (CMC): A private minority run medical college, highly well known in the medical field which provides Bachelor of Optometry (B.Optom) and Diploma in Optometry .The admission  is based on entrance exam conducted by CMC.Diploma in Optometry is for Two years and available in two centres, Vellore and Chittoor. The course is approved and affiliated to Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai. Its 4year full time course.

Jamia Hamdard Deemed to be University: A Deemed University established in 1989,which offers a number of courses.B.Optometry and M.Optometry under the Department of Paramedical Sciences.With basic eligibility criteria demanded that candidate should appear in NEET 2020 (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test) for MBBS conducted by CBSE

Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Madhav Nagar Manipal: A Private University and  the First institution in India exclusively dedicated to the education of Allied Health Professionals.The students get  Clinical training at Manipal Hospital Bangalore and Kasturba Hospital, Manipal & Mangalore.The admission to B.Optometry on the basis of  Merit List based on +2  PCB / PCM marks, whichever is higher.

Other Institutions:

Some Institutes in Kerala state which offer BSc.Optometry with affiliation of Kerala University of Health Sciences, Thrissur,Kerala

Admissions to the below  given Institutions are regulated on the basis of merit as assessed in the rank list prepared based on the marks obtained in the qualifying examination.Candidates are requested to visit the official website of the LBS Centre(www.lbscentre.kerala.gov.in) regularly for notifications and announcements.The allotment conducted by LBS Centre with the rules and regulations of Directorate of Medical Education(DME) within the state of Kerala.To get more https://lbscentre.in/  

No

Institute

Intake

1

Govt. Medical College, Kozhikode

20

2

Govt. Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram

20

3

Dr. Tony’s School of Optometry, Aluva

30

4

AL-SALAMA Eye Hospital, Perinthalmanna

30

5

Al-Shifa College of Paramedical Science, Perinthalmanna

30

6

Ahalia School of Optometry, Palakkad

30

7

Little Flower Institute of Medical Science & Research Centre, Angamaly

30

8

Medical Trust Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi

10

9

KMCT College of Allied Health Sciences, Mukkam, Kozhikode

30

10

Susruta School of Optometry & Visual Sciences,Kadavanthra, Cochin

20

11

Sree Anjaneya College of Paramedical Sciences,Modakkallur,Calicut

30

12

A.K.G Co-operative institute of health sciences, Mavilayi, Kannur

30

 

Total Institutes: 12

310

 

Master of Optometry (M.OPTOM) Institutes in Kerala  with affiliation of Kerala University of Health Sciences, Thrissur,Kerala

No

Institutes

Intake

1

Little Flower Institute of Medical Science & Research Centre, Angamaly

10

2

Ahalia School of Optometry, Palakkad

12

 

Total Institutes: 2

22

Centralised allotment for Master of Optometry through the official website of the LBS Centre (www.lbscentre.kerala.gov.in). Candidates are requested to visit the above mentioned site regularly for notifications and announcements.

Some Other Institutions for MSc/M.Optometry:-

  • Jamia Hamdard Deemed University Delhi
  • Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal

Diploma in Ophthalmic Assistant (DOA

Government and Self Finance Institutes in Kerala which offer Diploma in Ophthalmic Assistant (DOA) under Directorate of Medical Education,Government of Kerala

Government Institutions:- (DOA)

No

Institutions

Course code 

Gov.t Seats

Total

Phone No

1

Govt Medical College Thiruvananthapuram

OA

5

5

0471-2528383

2

Govt Medical College Alappuzha

OA

5

5

0477-2382611

3

Govt Medical College Kottayam

OA

15

15

0481-2597284

4

Govt Medical College Thrissur

OA

SM-5*

SC-16

ST-4

25

0487- 2201355 

5

Govt Medical College, Kozhikode

OA

10

10

0495-2355331

6

Priyadarshini Institute of Paramedical Sciences,  Medical College Campus, Thiruvananthapuram (SC/ST only) 

OA

SC-16

ST-4

20

0471- 25285383

 

Total

 

40

SC/ST

40

80



 

Self Financing Institutions:- (DOA)

No

Institutions

Govt Seats

Management Seats

Total

Phone No

1

Aradhana Eye Institute Ganga Nagar, Near Kuriathy LPS, Manacaud, Thiruvananthapuram 

5

5

10

9995650426

2

Chaithanya Eye Hospital & Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram

5

5

10

0471- 2447183

3

Institute of Paramedical Sciences, Kannur Medical College, Anjrakandy, Kannur

15

15

30

0497- 2855010

4

Medical Trust Institute

of Medical Sciences,

Medical Trust

Hospital, MG Road, Kochi

7

8

15

0484- 2358001

5

Dr.Somervel Memorial CSI Medical College & Hospital,Karakonam Po,Thiruvananthapuram

15

15

3o

0471-2252451

6

National Institute of Health Sciences, KMCT Hospital Building, Mampatta, Manassery P.O, Mukkam, Kozhikode

15

15

30

0495-4077555

7

AKG Co-operative Institute of Health Sciences, Mavilayi, Kannur-670622

15

15

30

0497-2826420

8

Ahalia School of Optometry, Ahalia Campus , Palakkad

15

15

30

04923-225000

 

Total

92

93

185

 

Application for admission to Diploma in Ophthalmic Assistant course in various Government/Self Financing Institutions can be registered only online through a single application. It is available at the website www.lbscentre.kerala.gov.in    

Other Institutions for Diploma in Optometry (Outside Kerala):-

  • CMC Vellore, Tamilnadu
  • AMU Aligarh, UP (Recognition & Affiliation of AMU only)
  • Aravind Eye Hospital Madurai Tamilnadu

Questions & Answers​

Q) What is the scope of BSc/B.Optometry ?

A) An Optometrist can work with Eye Doctors, hospital eye departments,optician showrooms, contact lens and ophthalmic lens Industry etc;

Q) Is NEET required for a BSc/B.Optometry course ?

A) No need of NEET for this course.A student who passed HSE(10+2) course with a minimum 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry, Biology  and  in English.The Mark Percentage may vary from institute to institute. PCM candidate can consider in MAHE BSc Optometry application process.

Q) Is there any type of entrance exam for the admission to BSc.optometry/B.Optometry ?

A) Yes, Some of the premier institutions and Deemed Universities conduct their own Entrance Exam for the admission of this course.Enlisted below a few for example:

  • AIIMS New Delhi and Rishikesh,
  • AFMC Pune (Only for Military Servants)
  • CMC Vellore
  • Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Pune, (EYESET)

Q) How do I join an Optometry course in Kerala ?

A) BSc/B.Optometry and MSc/M.Optometry admissions in Kerala under the guideline and recognition of Kerala University of Health Sciences,Thrissur. 

Diploma in Ophthalmic Assistant course directly recognised by Directorate of Medical Education,Government of Kerala. 

Centralised admission process to above mentioned courses are  conducted by LBS Centre Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Now there is no any type of Entrance Examination under KUHS and DME. The Selection process on the basis of merit of qualifying examination.

Q) What is the duration of the Course Bachelor of Optometry ?

A) Bachelor of Optometry is a 4 year course with compulsory  internship of  last year. (MAHE BSc Optometry Duration 4 year and One year compulsory internship)

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