BSC optometry.

Optometry is indeed marking a century as a profession in India. Over the past hundred years, it has evolved from its humble beginnings in the early 20th century to become a significant force in the eye care ecosystem. This evolution has seen the profession growth in terms of educational standards, clinical practices, and the range of services provided, making substantial contributions to improving eye health and vision care across the country.

Optometrists are indeed experts in eye health. They are trained to prescribe spectacles and contact lenses and treat a range of eye conditions, including dry eye, allergies, and infections. In addition to these services, optometrists can also perform comprehensive eye exams to detect vision problems and other eye-related issues, provide pre- and post-operative care for eye surgeries, and offer advice on eye health and preventative care.

Optometry in India was regulated under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professionals Act 2021. The act defines an optometrist as a professional who studies the eye and related ailments and specializes in managing disorders of the eye and visual system. The scope and complexity of their practice are limited compared to that of a medical doctor. The act requires optometrists to have a minimum of a four-year baccalaureate degree. This regulation has helped standardize the profession, ensuring that optometrists are well-qualified to provide high-quality eye care services.

Duration- 4 Year program with a 1-year internship in the last year.

Eligibility criteria: +2 Science with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and/or Mathematics with minimum of 50% marks.

Course Overview: In the optometry course, students learn to:

Examine the eye for defects and faults of refraction.

Prescribe correctional lenses or eye exercises.

Diagnose diseases of the Eye.

Treat eye diseases or refer patients for further treatment.

They are trained to address serious eye diseases such as cataract, glaucoma, and age-related maculopathy, as well as eye diseases related to general health conditions like hypertension and diabetes. Optometrists play a crucial role in alleviating the burden of other causes of blindness through diagnosis, referral, and sometimes co-management in collaboration with ophthalmologists and other eye care providers.

Upon qualifying from this program, optometrists have a primary public health responsibility to eliminate uncorrected refractive error, the leading cause of vision impairment globally. This ensures that they are equipped to make significant contributions to improving eye health and reducing vision impairment in the communities they serve.

Career path you can choose after the course:

  • Paediatric Optometrist:
  • Public Health Optometrist
  • Clinical Optometrist
  • Industrial Optometrist
  • Academician/Teacher/ research optometrist
  • Researcher
  • Private Practitioner
  • Hospital optometrist

The Top Recruiters of an Optometrists are:

  • Titan Eye Plus
  • Lenskart Solutions Lawrence & Mayo
  • Alcon
  • Fortis Health Care

Skills required:

  • Mechanical Aptitude
  • Customer Relations
  • Ability to assist Ophthalmologists
  • Eye Hand Coordination
  • Ability to Keep Records.

Pros and cons of an optometrist:

Pros:

  • There is no need to go for late night calls and shifts like other healthcare professionals.
  • The job is relatively stress-free.
  • If you go for private practice, you are your own boss.
  • It is a secure job with a bright future.
  • You get the chance to serve people with vision problems.

Cons:

  • The work is repetitive and causes monotony in a few years.
  • There is no steep increase in salary even after considerable experience.

Future growth and prospects:

Optometry has a promising future with numerous growth prospects in India and abroad. The alarming increase in blindness is prompting the government to consider making the optometry department mandatory in all government hospitals. If implemented, this initiative would significantly increase the demand for optometrists in the future.

Additionally, the rise of online sales in optical aids is creating new opportunities for practitioners. Those who stay updated with recent developments in the field will have a competitive edge, allowing them to better serve their patients and adapt to changing market dynamics. This combination of increased demand in healthcare settings and expanding opportunities in the online marketplace underscores the bright future of the optometry profession.

BSC Optometry program highlights at Asian Institute of Public Health University. Bhubaneswar.(https://aiph.ac.in/)

Following are the key features of the BSC-optometry technology program.

  • Emphasis on early patient contact.
  • Development of critical thinking skills.
  • Simulation-based training and learning of communication skills and professionalism.
  • Innovative use of Technology-Enhanced Learning to revolutionize student learning.
  • Assessment and professional development.

Our academic approach aims to strengthen the potential of our students on a highly humanistic and holistic plane for the betterment of the world. We believe that this can only be brought about by improving individual learners from the inside out. We take pride in our inside-out approach because it is the core foundation of creating enlightened leaders, empowered to illuminate the world for future generations. This vision is achieved through the implementation of our functionally designed curriculum at AIPH university which aims to produce well-rounded individuals who are not only academically proficient but also capable of making meaningful contributions to society.