Why Study BSc Optometry?

BSc Optometry course opens a wide variety of career opportunities to the graduates. They can work in various settings such as primary healthcare, corporate, public sector or even move into research and academics.

Earlier optometry was limited to fitting eyeglasses, whereas today, optometrists also examine and help diagnose eye diseases. In addition to glasses, the Optometrist provides corrective devices such as contact lenses and devices to support the low vision. Optometrists, as primary healthcare

 practitioners, are often the first to catch the eye changes due to diseases such as diabetes and arteriosclerosis, leading to early diagnosis and treatment. Today ophthalmologists and optometrists work as a team. Optometry students can choose general practice or specialities such as contact lenses, vision therapy and orthotics, learning disabilities, paediatrics and occupational vision.

The scope of Optometry as a profession is increasing in India as vision-related problems, including refractory issues such as Myopia, are increasing in the county. Myopia prevalence in India is on an increasing trend both among children and adults. As per studies,1 out of 6 children aged between 5-15 years has Myopia. To counter and deal effectively with this. This India will need more trained ophthalmologists, optometrists and opticians.

As per MoHFW, a student completing an optometry program for less than four years will be considered an ophthalmic assistant, not an OPTOMETRIST. An ophthalmic assistant can practice only under the supervision of an ophthalmologist, unlike an Optometrist who can practice independently.

What is the Admission Process for BSc Optometry?

Admission to the students in the BSc Optometry course is granted based on the candidates' performance in the entrance exam and according to the marks obtained in the 10+2 level. Some universities also grant admission based on merit.

• Step 1: The candidates considering applying to this course at a particular college/university should check their eligibility and the kind of entrance exams conducted to shortlist the students.
• Step 2: Students can apply online or visit the college to fill out the application form necessary to apply for the course.
• Step 3: Give the entrance exam.
• Step 4: The admission to BSc Optometry is granted based on the entrance exam, and the application forms are available in May. Upon completing the application form, the universities and colleges start declaring their respective cut off which is the minimum required percentage for admission to the BSc Optometry program.
• The colleges will announce the cut-off list, and the shortlisted students are also called for the next round of counselling.
• Step 5: Final Admission Round: For this course, the colleges conduct different rounds to test the individual's ability and skills through counselling.

Documents required for BSc Optometry admission

• Mark sheet and pass certificate of Class X or XII examination.
• Proof of date of birth.
• School leaving certificate
• Transfer certificate
• Domicile certificate/ residential proof or certificate
• Provisional certificate
• Character certificate
• Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe/Other Backward Caste certificates
• Proof of disability (if any)
• Migration Certificate

What is the Eligibility for BSc Optometry?

Students who aspire to seek admission to the BSc Optometry course are required to follow the minimum eligibility criteria given below:

• The candidates must have completed their 10+2 from a recognized board of education with the minimum marks required.
• The minimum marks required for admission into BSc Optometry courses may vary from institute to institute, but the students are expected to have at least 50% in PCB/PCM/PCMB group. 
• Some reputed colleges and institutes also conduct BSc Optometry entrance examinations to take admission to the degree course.
• The aspirants appearing for 10+2 examinations can also apply for this course, but they need to produce their exam scores at the time of counselling (with at least 50% marks aggregate required in the Science stream). Selection to the BSc Optometry course in the colleges is based on marks secured in the final merit, i.e. total marks aggregated in the final exams of 10+2 and the entrance exam.
• The candidates should have attained the age of 17 years on the first November of the year of admission. There is no maximum age limit. 

What is the BSc Optometry Entrance Exam?

Institutes depend on entrance exams majorly for admission to the BSc Optometry course. The top well-known university, state and national level BSc Optometry entrance exams are mentioned in the table below.

AIIMS Entrance Exam - All India Institute of Medical Sciences conducts this entrance exam on the national level. It is one of the top medical colleges in India. Our country's limited number of medical seats makes AIIMS UG one of the challenging exams. It is a Computer-based Test (Online Mode), and 1/3 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer. 

CMC Entrance Exam- Christian Medical College, Vellore, and Tamil Nadu conducts the CMC Vellore 2022 entrance examination test for admission to postgraduate diploma and degree medical courses. CMC offers courses in UG/PG/Diploma.

NEET- The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts NEET annually to provide admission to eligible candidates. It is the most sought-after medical entrance examination. A NEET aspirant must attempt to answer 180 questions in 3 hours. The exam paper is divided into three sections: Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

How to Prepare for the BSc Optometry Entrance Exam?

One of the most important steps to crack the entrance exam is to study as per the latest exam pattern and syllabus. The students giving the entrance exams for the BSc Optometry course need to prepare for four subjects mainly, i.e., Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics.

• The main points to keep in mind while preparing for the Entrance Exams:
• The students must devote at least 2-3 hours each day to prepare for the exam reliably.
• The students should refer to the latest test papers, and by solving them, they will be able to understand the course content and the latest style of the entrance exam.
• They should attempt mock test papers to understand their mistakes, weaknesses, and strong points.
• They should also have enough time to focus on the revision; focusing only on the more substantial sections while leaving the weaker sections might significantly impact the performance.
• Effective time management is critical to qualify for an entrance exam as an expert.

What after BSc Optometry?

A BSc Optometry graduate has ample opportunities waiting around; all one needs to do is to grab it. All of this is because of the diverse skill set one possesses. 

There are many job opportunities for BSc Optometry graduates. The students become eligible enough to get job opportunities in various private and public sectors in relevant sectors. 

They can find jobs in lens manufacturing units, optician showrooms, multinational companies dealing with eye care products, etc. Some posts are Optometrist, Optician, Sales Executive, Teacher, Eye Doctor, etc. The salary of the graduates depends on various factors, including experience, skills and job profile.

Jobs after BSc Optometry

Optometrist - An optometrist is a healthcare professional specializing in the eyes; they conduct vision exams, diagnose the conditions based on exam results, and then determine the course of treatment for said conditions. The salary offered is approx INR 3.5 Lakhs after BSc Optometry.

Optician - A technician who verifies the prescription given by an eye doctor and is trained to correct lenses according to the eye defect, advise patients on any necessary repairs or adjustments, maintain displays, and work with sales professionals from vision care suppliers. The salary offered is approx INR 4 Lakhs after BSc Optometry.

Sales Executive - Sales executives promote customer products and services and negotiate contracts to maximize profits after BSc Optometry. The salary offered is approx INR 2.50 Lakhs.

Teacher - A teacher's responsibility is to develop curriculum and lesson plans and present those lessons to their students, individually or in groups. They track the progress of their students and create reports to inform students' parents about their progress after BSc Optometry. The salary offered is approx INR 3.01 Lakhs.

Optometry Researcher - The optometry researcher has to research different ailments affecting the eyes and how to treat them after BSc Optometry. The salary offered is approx INR 5 Lakhs.