Optometry
is a health care profession concerned with the care
and maintenance of human vision. A Doctor of Optometry
(O.D.) or Optometrist is trained and licensed to examine,
diagnose, and treat conditions of the vision system.
Responsibilities and services include the examination
of the eyes and related structures to detect eye diseases,
vision problems, or therapy to provide improved vision.
In the course of a routine eye examination, an optometrist
may detect other bodily ills (diabetes, hypertension),
which may manifest themselves in the eye and surrounding
tissues. An Optometrist is not licensed to perform
surgery; in instances requiring such service, a referral
is made to other health care professionals. Optometrists
are authorized to use diagnostic and therapeutic pharmaceutical
agents in the treatment of eye disease in all 50 states.
Career Opportunities
There is a need for Optometrists
throughout the U.S. Increased demands for vision care
result from population growth, an increasing aging
population, more emphasis on prevention and health
care, increasing numbers of third party vision care
programs and other factors crucial to modern society.
The public is also showing a greater awareness of
how good vision relates to driving, industrial production,
student achievement and adjustment to aging. Nearly
two out of every five Optometrists in practice today
are over the age of 50. To meet the urgent need of
training future practitioners, new schools of optometry
have opened. The profession of optometry is growing
and opportunities for future Optometrists are projected
as excellent.
General Information
A free guide for persons interested
in optometry may be obtained by writing to the following
address and requesting the current version of “Admissions
to Schools and Colleges of Optometry.”
American Optometric Association
243 North Lindbergh Blvd.
St. Louis, Missouri 63141
Optometry Admissions
Test (OAT)
The OAT is a standardized exam that
is required for admission at all optometry schools.
Beginning in 2006, the OAT will be conducted using
computer based testing and may be taken year round.
Computer based testing of the OAT is administered
at Thomson Prometric Centers. Examinees may schedule
the date, times, and place of their choosing and scores
are received at the testing center immediately upon
completion of the exam. The exam may be taken an unlimited
number of times, however a waiting period of 90 days
is required between each test date. The OAT is designed
to measure general academic ability and scientific
knowledge. The entire test requires one half day for
administration. The examinations included are: Survey
of Natural Sciences (Biology, General Chemistry, Organic
Chemistry); Reading Comprehension (Organic Chemistry
and Basic Sciences); Quantitative ability (Math);
Physics (standard topics covered in a first year physics
course). The test must take be taken no later than
the fall of the year preceding the intended date of
enrollment in a school of optometry. However it is
recommended that students take the OAT during the
spring of their junior year. Scores range from 200-400
with the national average score for acceptance being
320.
You may obtain further information and register for
the OAT online at http://www.opted.org/info_oat.cfm.
This site also provides an online examinees guide
with further information regarding the computer based
testing program.
The Optometry Admission Testing Program
can be contacted by mail or telephone at:
Optometry Admission Testing Program
211 East Chicago Avenue, 6th Floor
Chicago, IL 60611-2678
(800) 232-2159
A profile of admitted students, required
coursework and application fees and deadline at the
17 schools of optometry in the United States, can
be viewed at http://www.opted.org/info_profile2.cfm.
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