Blindness and vision impairment is significant economic burden on families, communities and society at large leading to loss of productivity and deteriorated quality of life. With the increasing burden of avoidable, life style related blindness the need of eye care professionals is much sought. Optometry, a primary health care profession has the principle public health responsibility in addressing this issue along with other key eye care professionals. Optometry is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an independent profession in association with World Council of Optometry (WCO) – the international optometric organization, representing more than 300,000 optometrists from 87 member organizations in 47 countries. 

Optometrist is an integral part of the hospital and community. Here the student is trained under the guidance of eminent Ophthalmology team & competent faculties in various vision related examination protocols. The course provides exposure, varied learning experiences; stimulate critical thinking on the domains of clinical care, research and community outreach initiatives. Community postings in the form of eye camps will orient the student further towards the issues, burdens and the importance of eye care at a community level. It also enables the student to perform the basic important eye examinations, access the severity and refer the patients to next levels of health care. The student will have an opportunity to nurture the entrepreneurship skills- to establish as an independent practioner. The program prepares the student to integrate knowledge, skills, and attitude to be able to perform professionally in a given situation.

• Produces competent optometrists with knowledge and understanding of performing comprehensive visual examination.
• Trains students to correct refractive errors by providing spectacle/​contact lens/​special devices prescription, and provide specialised therapy for binocular vision, lifestyle diseases with ocular predisposition and counseling on visual/​ocular hygiene with nutritional and environmental modifications.
• Emphasises competency and outcome-based learning.
• Helps students develop critical thinking in order to move smoothly from academics to the real work environment and industry.

Teaching and Assessment:

During each semester, students’ performance is assessed through Continuous Evaluation (CE) and a Semester End Examination (SEE). CE and SEE weightages carry equal weightage.

Students are awarded grades based on the marks scored. 

»View Complete Grading System.

Key Skill Development:

• Ability to work independently or in conjunction with ophthalmologist and health care professionals. 
• Ability to diagnose, and manage visual defects and impairments, and co-management of ocular conditions. 
• Ability to dispense vision correction aids and provide therapy under the low vision and binocular vision.
• Ability to work in hospitals, optical outlets and as independent practitioner and entrepreneur. 
• Ability to undertake public health projects and conduct vision screening in the community and practice occupational optometry in industries. 
• Ability to impart knowledge on ocular hygiene and related environmental counselling.

Career opportunities:

1. Clinical consultant optometrist in

• Eye Hospitals
• Private clinics or chamber
• Optical shops

2. Research Optometrist in:

• Eye research institutes 
• Lens and contact lens manufacturing companies for R&D
• Academic Institutions
• Public health

3. Academics

• Tutor/​clinical instructor (with a qualification of at least Bachelor’s)
• Lecturer (with a qualification of at least Master’s)
• Assistant Professor (with a qualification of at least Master’s/PhD)
• Associate Professor (with a qualification of at least PhD)
• Professor (with a qualification of at least PhD/Post-Doc)

4. Multinational Companies

• Sales executive
• Trainer
• Store Manager
• Professional Services