Optometry

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Optometry

The doctorate of optometry, O.D., is awarded at 17 optometry schools in the United States and Puerto Rico. There are 2 optometry schools in Canada.
What does an optometrist do?
Optometrists treat diseases/disorders of the anterior portion of the eye, including the cornea and lens. They give routine visual exams and make lens prescriptions, as well as treating disorders such as glaucoma and ulcers of the eye. They diagnose more severe diseases affecting the posterior portion of the eye, but these diseases are treated by ophthalmologists.

Optometry Information
Application Process
Important Deadlines
Optometry Organizations/Associations
Undergraduate Course Requirements
Optometry Schools in the U.S. and Canada

Optometry Information

Student Doctor Network
Occupational Outlook for Optometrists
Primary Care Optometry News

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Application Process

Applications are sent directly to individual optometry schools (there is no centralized application service).

OAT

All optometry schools in the U.S. require applicants take the OAT, (Optometry Admission Test). The OAT is offered twice a year, April and October.

Format of OAT:
The OAT has 4 sections as follows:
Section                          # Questions                           Time (min)
Science                              100                                      90
Biology                         40
Gen. Chemistry             30
Org. Chemistry             30
Physics                                40                                       50
Reading                               50                                       50
Quantitative                         50                                       45
Algebra                        ~20
Math Word Problems   ~20
Geometry/Trig              ~10

Contact information:
Optometry Admission Test Program
211 East Chicago Avenue, Suite 1846
Chicago, IL 60611-2678
(312) 440-2693

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation should be sent directly to the colleges where you will be applying.

Transcripts

Official transcripts should be sent directly to the optometry schools where you will be applying.

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Important deadlines
Application deadline
Deadlines vary by school. They generally fall between January 1 - July 15. But remember, the earlier the better.
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Optometry Organizations/Associations
American Academy of Optometry
American Optometric Association
American Orthopic Journal
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO)

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Undergraduate course requirements

Major- Choose a major in an area that interests you. You do not have to be a science major to go to optometry school. However, you must complete certain course requirements. Most optometry schools require the same courses as medical schools, listed below:

1 year of physics with lab
1 year of general chemistry with lab
1 year of organic chemistry with lab
1 year of biology with lab
1 year of english

Requirements do vary between schools. Some other courses required by optometry schools include microbiology, calculus, statistics, and behavioral science. Be sure to check the requirements for the schools that interest you.

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Optometry Schools in the U.S. and Canada

ALABAMA
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry

CALIFORNIA
U.C. Berkeley School of Optometry
Southern California College of Optometry

FLORIDA
Nova Southeastern University Health Professions, Division College of Optometry

ILLINOIS
Illinois College of Optometry

INDIANA
Indiana University School of Optometry

MASSACHUSETTS
New England College of Optometry

MICHIGAN
Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University

MISSOURI
University of Missouri-St Louis School of Optometry

NEW YORK
SUNY College of Optometry

OHIO
Ohio State University College of Optometry