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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.orgabout optometric educationProfessional OD programsApplicants and Advisers Resources Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry-www.opted.org American Academy of Optometry-www.aaopt.org Page 7 of 7