Optometry is an independent primary health care profession encompassing prevention and remediation of disorders of the eye and vision system through examination, diagnosis, treatment, and management of visual efficiency and eye health.
Educational requirements for optometry include three or four years of undergraduate work and four years of professional study leading to a Doctor of Optometry degree. Most students entering optometry school have completed the BS or BA degree.The specific requirements vary from school to school, but most require at least:
Each school has specific pre-requisites, and you should confirm the requirements for programs in which you are interested.
There are 15 schools of optometry in the United States. Admission is competitive, and applicants are rated by:
General information on the OAT, optometry programs, and careers in eye care can be found at www.opted.org. Applications are made through a centralized Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry service - www.optomcas.org.
For more information on Pre-Optometry preparation in the Biology major, please contact:
For more information on Pre-Optometry preparation in the Biochemistry or Chemistry majors, please contact:
Alumni Focus
Dr. Kera Zint
USI Biology - 2010
University of Missouri, St. Louis College of Optometry - 2015
Associate Optometrist, MyOptix Family Eyecare
Evansville, IN
"The science program at USI, along with its faculty, were instrumental in both encouraging me to follow my dream, as well as preparing me for success in my optometric career."
