Download Health Professions: Optometry

Health Professions:
Optometry




Overview of Profession
Pre-Requisites
Application Process Timeline
Admission Exam- OAT



Additional Information
Overview of Optometry Scholl
Important Websites
Overview of Profession:
(source: www.bls.gov)
1. Overview:
o Optometrists 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.
o Optometrists may prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses, or they may
provide other treatments, such as vision therapy or low-vision
rehabilitation.
o They prescribe medication to treat vision problems or eye diseases, and
some provide preoperative and postoperative care to cataract patients, as
well as to patients who have had corrective laser surgery.
o Although most work in a general practice as a primary care optometrist,
some optometrists prefer to specialize in a particular field, such as contact
lenses, geriatrics, pediatrics, or vision therapy. As a result, an increasing
number of optometrists are forming group practices in which each group
member specializes in a specific area while still remaining a full scope
practitioner.
o 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. Like optometrists,
they also examine eyes and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Dispensing opticians fit and adjust eyeglasses and, in some States, may
fit contact lenses according to prescriptions written by ophthalmologists or
optometrists.
2. Working Conditions:
o Although most full-time optometrists work standard business hours, some
work weekends and evenings to suit the needs of patients.
Page 1 of 7
Emergency calls, once uncommon, have increased with the passage of
therapeutic-drug laws expanding optometrists' ability to prescribe
medications.
3. Earnings:
o Median annual wages of salaried optometrists were $96,320 in May 2008.
o The middle 50 percent earned between $70,140 and $125,460. Median
annual wages of salaried optometrists in offices of optometrists were
$92,670.
o Salaried optometrists tend to earn more initially than do optometrists who
set up their own practices. In the long run, however, those in private
practice usually earn more.
o According to the American Optometric Association, average annual
income for self-employed optometrists was $175,329 in 2007.
o Self-employed optometrists, including those in individual, partnerships,
and group practice, continue to earn higher income than those in other
settings. Earnings also vary by group size.
o Practitioners associated with optical chains earn $100,704 on average.
However, they typically enjoy paid vacation, sick leave, and pension
contributions.
4. Job Outlook:
o Employment of optometrists is projected to grow 24 percent between 2008
and 2018.
o A growing population that recognizes the importance of good eye care will
increase demand for optometrists. Also, an increasing number of health
insurance plans that include vision care should generate more job growth.
5. Employment:
o Salaried jobs for optometrists were primarily in offices of optometrists;
offices of physicians, including ophthalmologists; and health and personal
care stores, including optical goods stores.
o A few salaried jobs for optometrists were in hospitals, the Federal
Government, or outpatient care centers, including health maintenance
organizations.
o About 25% of optometrists are self-employed.
o According to a 2008 survey by the American Optometric Association, most
self-employed optometrists worked in private practice or in partnership
with other healthcare professionals. A small number worked for optical
chains or franchises or as independent contractors.
o
Pre-requisites
To apply to optometry school you can be ANY MAJOR (Art, Biology, Literature, Math,
etc.), however you must complete the pre-requisite coursework in Chemistry, Biology,
Math and Physics in order to apply.
Page 2 of 7
The table at the bottom shows the courses that are most commonly completed by UC
Santa Cruz Students to fulfill optometry school pre-requisites. The Career Center
recommends that students complete the courses sequenced listed in this table.
NOTE: The optometry school pre-requisites can differ slightly from school to school. It
is important to look at the coursework required for each school you wish to apply to. A
good resource to find the admissions page for each Optometry School can be found in
the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) handbook. The ASCO
handbook can be located online.
Course Subject
General Chemistry
General Biology
Organic Chemistry
Mathematics
# Quarters
Nearly all schools require 3
quarters of general
(inorganic) chemistry, each
with laboratory
Nearly all schools require 3
quarters of general biology,
with laboratory
Nearly all schools require 1
quarter of organic chemistry,
with laboratory
Nearly all schools require 3
quarters of mathematics
UCSC course sequences
most students use to fulfill
requirements
Chem 1A, Chem 1B/ M and
Chem 1C/N
Biol 20A, Bioe20B, and
Bioe20C and three upperdivision labs* since UCSC
doesn't offer lab with its 20
series.
*Common labs used to fulfill
the 1-year of lab are: Biol 20L,
Bio 100K, Biol 130L, etc
Chem 108A/L and Chem
108B/M
Math 11A, Math 11B, and
Math 22
Or
Statistics
Physics
Math 19A, Math 19B, and
Math 22
AMS 5 or AMS 7/L
Nearly all schools require 1
quarter of a statistics course
Nearly all schools require 3
Phys 6A/L, Phys 6B/M, and
quarters of physics, each with Phys 6C/N
laboratory
Or
Phys 5A/L, Phys 5B/M, Phys
5C/N
Page 3 of 7
Biochemistry
Human Anatomy
Human Physiology
Microbiology
Immunology
English Composition
Psychology
Speech
Some schools require
biochemistry, most do
not. However, it is usually
strongly recommended
Some schools require 1
quarter of an anatomy course
Some schools require 1
quarter of an human
physiology course
Nearly all schools require 1
quarter of microbiology, with
laboratory
UC Berkeley requires 1
quarter of immunology
Requirements vary greatly,
check school's admissions
requirements
Nearly all schools require 1
quarter of an introductory
course
Some schools require 1
quarter of a speech, oral
communication or public
speaking course
Biol 100/K
or
Biol 100A/K, Bioc 100B, and
Bioc100C
Biol 135
Biol 130
Biol 119/119L
Biol 111
Courses that satisfy the Core
Courses and
Composition requirements at
UCSC will fulfill two quarters
of the medical school English
coursework requirements for
most medical schools. An
additional course in
Literature will usually satisfy
the remaining quarter.*
* Save your course syllabi in
case any medical schools
express concern that you did
not complete their English
requirement.
Psych 1
Not offered at UCSC
Page 4 of 7
Application Process Timeline:
1. OptomCAS:
o All 20 schools and colleges of optometry are participating in OptomCAS –
Optometry’s Centralized Application Service.
2. Prior to Applying:
o Consider these factors when deciding upon where to apply:
 Location
 Cost
 Size
 Licensure exam passage rates
 Faculty interests and reputation
 Job placement history of program graduates.
 Talk with recent optometry graduates, as well as ask optometry
employers about various programs’ strengths and weaknesses.
o Research each program you wish to apply to before submitting your
application.
 Admission requirements
 Pre-requisite coursework
 Deadlines
 Amount and preferences for letters of recommendations
o Register and take OAT
o Write your personal statement
o Develop a resume of activities and accomplishments
o Request your transcripts
o Arrange letters of evaluation
o In addition to California programs, consider applying to some public or
private schools outside of California that accept many (20+) non-resident
or non-contract state applicants.
3. Early July
o OptomCAS application cycle opens
4. September to March
o Applicants are interviewed
5. January to April
o Deadlines to submit application to OptomCAS
6. September to June
o Acceptance notification sent out
Admission Exam:
1. Overview of Optometry Admission Test (OAT):
o All U.S. optometry schools require applicants to submit OAT exam
scores.
o Many schools do not accept OAT exam scores that are more than five
years old.
Page 5 of 7
4 hour and 45 minute standardized multiple-choice computerized-based
exam.
o Unofficial score reports, generated at the test center, are provided for the
examinee upon completion of the test.
o The OAT exam is computerized and examinees are allowed to take the
OAT an unlimited number of times but must wait at least 90 days between
testing dates. However, only scores from the four most recent attempts
and the total number of attempts will be reported.
o Sections
 Survey of the Natural Sciences (Biology, General Chemistry, and
Organic Chemistry)
 Reading Comprehension
 Physics
 Quantitative Reasoning - require knowledge of basic numerical
calculations, algebra, probability and statistics, geometry, and
trigonometry, as well as the ability to apply mathematics to word
problems.
o Scoring
 The maximum score is 400.
2. When should students take the OAT?
o You should take the OAT well in advance of applying to dental school but
definitely at least one year prior to your intended start date.
o If students want to go straight into optometry school, they will need to take
the OAT the summer of their junior year.
o Students should take the OAT when they can do their best.
 If they can be preparing for the OAT and be taking courses, and do
well in both, then they should do that.
 If the student will compromise their grades and/or score by doing
both at the same time, the student should prepare for the OAT
during the summer or after they have graduated.
3. Dates for exam:
o Offered daily
o
Additional Requirements:
1. Some schools require applicants to submit a letter of recommendation from a
practicing optometrist.
Overview of Optometry School:
1. Overview:
o Optometry school lasts 4 academic years.
o There are 20 Optometry Schools in the United States, and 3 in California.
Page 6 of 7
2. Education:
o Optometry programs include classroom and laboratory study of health and
visual sciences and clinical training in the diagnosis and treatment of eye
disorders.
o Courses in pharmacology, optics, vision science, biochemistry, and
systemic diseases are included.
3. Post-Graduate:
o One-year postgraduate clinical residency programs are available for
optometrists who wish to obtain advanced clinical competence within a
particular area of optometry.
o Optometrists who wish to teach or conduct research may study for a
master's degree or Ph.D. in visual science, physiological optics,
neurophysiology, public health, health administration, health information
and communication, or health education.
4. Licensure and Certification:
o Applicants for a license must have a Doctor of Optometry degree from an
accredited optometry school and must pass both a written National Board
examination and a National, regional, or State clinical examination.
o The written and clinical examinations of the National Board of Examiners
in Optometry usually are taken during the student's academic career.
Many States also require applicants to pass an examination on relevant
State laws.
o Licenses must be renewed every 1-3 years and, in all States, continuing
education credits are needed for renewal.
5. Specialty:
o Specialty areas for residency programs include family practice optometry,
pediatric optometry, geriatric optometry, vision therapy and rehabilitation,
low-vision rehabilitation, cornea and contact lenses, refractive and ocular
surgery, primary eye care optometry, and ocular disease.
Important Websites:








Occupational Outlook Handbook
Explore Health Careers
Optometry Admission Exam- www.ada.org/oat
Apply to optometry school-www.optomcas.org
Directory of optometry school- www.opted.org/about-asco/member-schools-andcolleges
Optometry School Admissions Requirements Handbook-www.opted.orgabout
optometric educationProfessional OD programsApplicants and Advisers
Resources
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry-www.opted.org
American Academy of Optometry-www.aaopt.org
Page 7 of 7