Optometry Education in the US

Table of Contents
Applying to US Optometry Schools
The Structure of a Doctor of Optometry (OD)
Admission to the OD Degree
Residencies
Obtaining a License to Practise Optometry
Additional Resources

This page provides an overview of the optometric education system in the United States as well as information on optometric licensure and completing residencies and training in the US.

A doctor of optometry is an independent primary health care provider who examines, diagnoses, treats and manages diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures. The duties of an optometrist include prescribing glasses and contact lenses, rehabilitation of the visually impaired and the diagnosis and treatment of ocular disease. Optometrists perform comprehensive examinations of both the internal and external structure of the eye, subjective and objective tests to evaluate patients' vision, analyse the test findings, diagnose and determine the appropriate treatment.

Applying to US Optometry Schools

Level of Optometric Education
In the US, optometry is taught only at the postgraduate level after an undergraduate university education. Therefore, British students cannot apply to US optometry schools after completing A levels or Scottish Highers; they must first complete an undergraduate degree.

Length of Optometric Education
In the US, four years of undergraduate study are followed by four years of postgraduate accredited optometry school in order for a student to be eligible to practice in the US. Upon successful completion of accredited optometry school, the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree is awarded. For international applicants, some US optometry schools may recommend that at least one year of undergraduate education be completed at a US university. Contact schools directly to see what they recommend.

Practising Optometry in the US
International students should note that holding a US professional optometry degree does not in itself give you the right to work in the US. When applying for a visa, it is important to remember that a student needs to show intent that they will return to their home country after finishing his/her degree. Check with the appropriate professional association in your home country to see if the US degree will meet your home country's requirements to practise optometry. Questions regarding specific educational credentials, visa requirements, and examinations required for licensure should be directed to the individual state optometric associations.

All areas of the country need optometrists to serve a population which is increasingly aware of the importance of prevention and proper health care, and which requires the services of optometrists now more than ever. In addition, the aging population of the U.S. will create an increased demand for vision care services in the next several decades. Optometrists are also needed to fill vacancies created through retirement. Currently, there are approximately 30,000 optometrists involved in direct patient care, practicing in about 7,100 communities across the US nation. Seventy percent of the eye care market is delivered by Doctors of Optometry.

The Structure of a Doctor of Optometry (OD) Programme
The OD degree is usually completed in four years. In general, the four-year programme includes classroom and clinical training in geometric, physical, physiological and ophthalmic optics, ocular anatomy, ocular disease, ocular myotology, ocular pharmacology, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of the vision system, colour, form, space, movement and vision perception, design and modification of the visual environment, vision performance and screening. Unique to the educational requirements of optometrists is the advanced study of optics, the science of light and vision, and extensive training in lens design, construction, application and fitting.

Other Options

MS and PhD
This type of programme is for those who wish to study vision science. These may be taken following a baccalaureate degree or for foreign-trained optometrists who are interested in a research-oriented curriculum.

Applying for Advanced Standing
For an overview of the application procedure to US universities for postgraduate study you are advised to read the EAS Guide to Postgraduate Study in the United States compiled by the EAS. It is available from the EAS in London, at university careers services, and through the post: send in an addressed, stamped, A4 envelope. Admission to US optometry schools is competitive. Many schools accept less than twenty percent of applicants. Contact individual schools to obtain specific statistics.

Admission to the OD Degree Programme

How to Apply
For an overview of the application procedure to US universities for postgraduate study you are advised to read the EAS Guide to Postgraduate Study in the US.

Admission to US optometry schools is competitive. Many schools accept less than twenty percent of applicants. Contact individual schools to obtain specific statistics.

American Optometric Association
In order for a student to become licensed to practice optometry in the US, he or she must attend a school that is accredited by the Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association . Currently, there are seventeen accredited schools of optometry.

Undergraduate Coursework and Performance
The nature of the US liberal arts degree allows students to obtain a strong foundation in the natural sciences, but also take courses in the arts, social sciences, and humanities. The majority of US students who apply to optometry school in the US take their Bachelor's degree in a science related subject; however, it is not mandatory.

Although mandatory courses at the undergraduate level vary from school to school, the basic requirements for optometry schools are:

• 1 year of biology or zoology with laboratory

• 1 year of chemistry with laboratory

• 1 year of physics with laboratory

• 1 year of college level mathematics

• 1 year of English

Each optometry school may have its own additional requirements. Keep in mind that most successful applicants to optometry also have a strong cumulative grade point average (GPA). The GPA for the average accepted applicant falls between a 3.0 and 3.5 on a 0-4.0 scale (the approximate equivalent of a 2:2 or 2:1 UK degree class).

Optometry Admission Test
All optometry schools and colleges also require applicants to take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). The OAT is a standardised examination designed to measure general academic ability and comprehension of scientific information and is sponsored by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. The Optometry Admission Test includes quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, physics, biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry. The test can be taken in the UK. Plans must be made at least three months in advance for a special administration. More information about the OAT may be obtained by contacting the Optometric Admission Testing Program, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 1846, Chicago, IL, 60611-2678, USA. Tel: 001 312 440 2693.

Other Factors
Potential optometry students may be evaluated on the basis of grade point average, performance on the OAT, extra curricular and community activities, personal interviews and professional potential. Most schools also require two or three written recommendations from teachers and professionals. Each institution has its own criteria; therefore, you should contact the schools of your choice to obtain a copy of its prospectus and specific application guidelines.

Residencies
Residencies are not required for licensing in the US, and they are usually not part of the four-year optometry programme. A small number of students continue on to a residency programme for extended learning in a special area. They may also plan to become a teacher of optometry or a researcher and may begin their master's or doctoral degree programme in a residency programme.

Obtaining a License to Practise Optometry
There is no national optometric licensing authority in the US. The license to practise optometry in the US is granted by individual optometric licensing authorities in each of the fifty states. All states require graduation from an accredited professional optometric degree programme as a prerequisite for licensure. The licensure examination consists of both clinical and written parts, but in most states the written examination has been replaced with examinations which are given during the student's academic career by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry. The NBEO examination has three parts.

Part I - Basic Science
Part II - Clinical Science Or the Treatment of Management of Ocular Disease (TMOD)
Part III - Patient Care

Optometry students take the equivalent of this examination within the Part II (Clinical Science) examination. Therefore, the stand-alone TMOD® examination is targeted primarily for practitioners who wish to expand their scope of practice. Students are eligible to sit for the stand-alone TMOD® examination during April of their final professional year. However, as noted earlier, optometry students typically meet the TMOD® requirement within the Part II (Clinical Science) examination. Students who pass Part II (Clinical Science) at the December administration of their fourth academic year, but fail the embedded TMOD® section, may sit for the stand-alone TMOD®examination at the following April administration. The stand-alone TMOD® examination is administered in one 3 3/4 hour session during April and August.

Any graduate of an accredited institution is eligible to apply for admission to take the Part I, II, and III examinations of the National Board. Any graduate of an accredited institution is eligible to apply for admission to take the Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease (TMOD®) examination.

Candidates who are not students at, or graduates of, an accredited academic institution must be "sponsored" to take Part I or Part II by either a state licensure board in optometry or an accredited academic institution. Candidates who are not students at, or graduates of, an accredited institution must be sponsored to take Part III or the Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease (TMOD®) examination by a state licensure board in optometry. Sponsored candidates must pass Parts I & II before taking Part III. Individuals wishing to practise optometry in the US are advised to contact the Optometry Board for the state they wish the most complete and accurate information.

Additional Resources

Other On-Line Resources

Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO)

American Optometric Association

Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry

American Optometric Student Association

Off-Line Resources
The US Educational Advisory Service's reference library contains a postgraduate course directory that lists all optometry courses in the US, as well as US university prospectuses. You are welcome to consult these materials during our opening hours.