Academic Advising Center

PRE-PROFESSIONAL ADVISING: oPTOMETRY

Optometrists, also known as doctors of optometry, or ODs, are the main providers of vision care. They examine people’s eyes to diagnose vision problems, such as nearsightedness and farsightedness, and they test patients’ depth and color perception and ability to focus and coordinate the eyes. Optometrists may prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses, or they may prescribe or provide other treatments, such as vision therapy or low-vision rehabilitation. Optometrists also test for glaucoma and other eye diseases and diagnose conditions caused by systemic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure, referring patients to other health practitioners as needed. They administer drugs to patients to aid in the diagnosis of vision problems and to treat eye diseases. Optometrists should not be confused with ophthalmologists or dispensing opticians. Ophthalmologists are physicians who perform eye surgery, as well as diagnose and treat eye diseases and injuries. (bls.gov 2008-05-08)

The Doctor of Optometry degree requires the completion of a 4-year program at an accredited optometry school, preceded by at least 3 years of preoptometric study at an accredited college or university. All States require optometrists to be licensed. There are 16 schools of optometry in mainland US and one in Puerto Rico. The closest school to Alaska is at Pacific University, located just outside of Portland in Forest Grove, Oregon. California has two schools and the other 13 are east of the Rockies.

.Students interested in pursuing a medical career should:

• Consider academic success when choosing a major. While a bachelor's degree is not specifically required at most schools, it is helpful to be a competitive applicant. A majority of students accepted have completed an undergraduate degree. Because a strong background in science is important, many applicants to optometry school major in a science, such as biology or chemistry as undergraduates. However, your specific major is not important. Choose a major that you enjoy and that will allow you to include the courses required for admission to optometry school.
  
  
• Gain experience through paid employment or by volunteering in an optometry or medical setting in order to demonstrate your academic commitment, potential to excel in deductive reasoning, interpersonal communication, and empathy. Optometry schools are looking for "well-rounded" candidates who have achieved not only in the classroom but also in other areas. Leadership ability, a disposition to serve others, and a work ethic characterized by dedication and persistence are just a few of the qualities that impress most admission committees.
  
  
• Take the Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) prior to starting the last year of your undergraduate education. Potential optometry students may be evaluated on the basis of grade point average, performance on the OAT, extra curricular and community activities, and a personal interview.
  
  
• Check with the admissions office for each school of interest in order to determine the school's specific prerequisites and admissions requirements. Each optometry program requires biology, chemistry, physics, English (often two courses), psychology and at least two quarters of math (most require at least one quarter of calculus and one quarter of statistics). Biochemistry is required or recommended by most of the schools.
  
  
• Become familiar with the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (OSCO) site. Here you will find a list of accredited program of optometry, and information on each schools admissions requirements.

**Admission requirements vary by school. While this table was compiled by researching many optometry schools, it is important to check the admission requirements for each school that you are interested in to be sure that you will meet all of the prerequisites required by that school. A course listed as recommended here may be required by your school of choice.

A UAF degree in Biological Sciences or Biochemistry requires many of the same courses required for admission to optometry school. Optometry schools encourage students to complete a field of study in which they are most interested in (while meeting the school's prerequisites). Students considering a career in should see an Academic Adviser or a departmental adviser for assistance with program advisement, exploration of professional schools and licensing requirements.

Attending Health Care Programs Outside of Alaska

• Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (OSCO)
• American Optometric Association
• General Health Professions Admissions Requirements
• Occupational Outlook Handbook