How Do I Become an Optometrist?

An optometrist is a medical professional who examines eyes, diagnosis minor disorders or diseases of the eye, and treats them with non-surgical options. Optometrists practice optometry, the study of eyes, vision and all the related human processes. Optometrists are allied health professionals. This means that they do not have medical degree but are essential to a functioning health care system. Those who want to become an optometrist must first obtain a Doctor of Optometry degree and then a license to practice it. The first step if you want to become an optometrist begins in college, where the student would take optometry prep classes at an accredited college or university. Pre-optometry classes differ from school to school. These classes usually consist of a combination of biology and chemistry classes as well as ones in physics and calculus. Optometry prep classes are not exclusive to any one major of study. In fact, some optometry schools only require that you complete the prep ...  more

To become an optometrist you need to stay on at school/go to college after your GCSEs and take certain subjects. You then study Optometry at university, which takes three years. Then you need to complete a pre-registration year. This involves working as a trainee and studying for professional exams to make you fully qualified. • At GCSE, you should achieve a minimum of 5 grades A-C including Science, English and Maths • Then you could take four AS Levels, and carry on with three subjects at A2. Universities will expect you to have studied particular subjects like Maths, Biology, Physics or Chemistry.  more

An optometrist holds a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree, which takes seven years of study to complete 1. Take numerous science and biology courses in high school 2. Go to a college where you can take three years of pre-optometry courses. Consult your guidance counselor during your junior year about colleges that offer such a program. 3. Take the Optometry Admissions Test during your second or third year in college. The test will measure your academic and scientific knowledge 4. Apply for admission to optometry schools accredited by the Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association. Keep in mind that competition is great. 5.Complete your optometry school's four-year course of study and pass a written and clinical state board exam. 6. Apply for your state license after receiving your O.D. degree. You should ask your state's Board of Optometry well beforehand about its licensing procedure 7.  more