2 answers
Jam
Student
Gilroy, California
5
Questions
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What do I need to do to become an Optometrist in the U.S?
I am senior in high school and want to be optometrist. What is the pathway to become one? Any advice?
#healthcare #doctor #medicine #college #advice
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2 answers
Sheila Jordan
Lead Network Proj/Prog Manager
716
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Sheila’s Answer
Hello Jam:
Optometrists must complete a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree program and obtain a license to practice in a particular state. O.D. programs take 4 years to complete, and most students have a bachelor’s degree before entering such a program.
Applicants to O.D. programs must have completed at least 3 years of postsecondary education. Required courses include those in biology, chemistry, physics, English, and math. Most students have a bachelor’s degree with a premedical or biological sciences emphasis before enrolling in an O.D. program. Students must also take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), a computerized exam that tests applicants in four subject areas: science, reading comprehension, physics, and quantitative reasoning.
O.D. programs take 4 years to complete. They combine classroom learning and supervised clinical experience. Coursework includes anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, optics, visual science, and the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the visual system.
After finishing an O.D. degree, some optometrists complete a 1-year residency program to get advanced clinical training in the area in which they wish to specialize. Areas of specialization for residency programs include family practice, low vision rehabilitation, pediatric or geriatric optometry, and ocular disease, among others.
All states require optometrists to be licensed. Some states require individuals to pass an additional clinical exam or an exam on laws relating to optometry. All states require optometrists to take continuing education classes and to renew their license periodically. The board of optometry in each state can provide information on licensing requirements. Optometrists who wish to demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge may choose to become board certified by the American Board of Optometry.
Below is a link to additional resources on "How to Become an Optometrist" that you may find helpful. Make sure to navigate through all the tabs. Best of luck to you!
~ Sheila
How to Become an Optometrist • https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/optometrists.htm#tab-4
Optometrists must complete a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree program and obtain a license to practice in a particular state. O.D. programs take 4 years to complete, and most students have a bachelor’s degree before entering such a program.
Applicants to O.D. programs must have completed at least 3 years of postsecondary education. Required courses include those in biology, chemistry, physics, English, and math. Most students have a bachelor’s degree with a premedical or biological sciences emphasis before enrolling in an O.D. program. Students must also take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), a computerized exam that tests applicants in four subject areas: science, reading comprehension, physics, and quantitative reasoning.
O.D. programs take 4 years to complete. They combine classroom learning and supervised clinical experience. Coursework includes anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, optics, visual science, and the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the visual system.
After finishing an O.D. degree, some optometrists complete a 1-year residency program to get advanced clinical training in the area in which they wish to specialize. Areas of specialization for residency programs include family practice, low vision rehabilitation, pediatric or geriatric optometry, and ocular disease, among others.
All states require optometrists to be licensed. Some states require individuals to pass an additional clinical exam or an exam on laws relating to optometry. All states require optometrists to take continuing education classes and to renew their license periodically. The board of optometry in each state can provide information on licensing requirements. Optometrists who wish to demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge may choose to become board certified by the American Board of Optometry.
Below is a link to additional resources on "How to Become an Optometrist" that you may find helpful. Make sure to navigate through all the tabs. Best of luck to you!
~ Sheila
Sheila recommends the following next steps:
Maya Ibelaidene
42
Answers
Riverside, California
Updated
Maya’s Answer
Hi Jam!
To become an optometrist in the U.S. there are a series of steps to complete. First, you are going to have to go to college and earn a bachelors degree. After that you can take the OAT (Optometry Admission Test). Once you pass this test you can apply to an OD program which allows you to be an optometrist. Then you just need to pass the second exam at optometry school and get licensed in order to start treating patients. Below I attached a website that I think is extremely helpful and I recommend looking there for more details. Hope this helps!
Website: https://www.valuepenguin.com/how-become-optometrist
To become an optometrist in the U.S. there are a series of steps to complete. First, you are going to have to go to college and earn a bachelors degree. After that you can take the OAT (Optometry Admission Test). Once you pass this test you can apply to an OD program which allows you to be an optometrist. Then you just need to pass the second exam at optometry school and get licensed in order to start treating patients. Below I attached a website that I think is extremely helpful and I recommend looking there for more details. Hope this helps!
Website: https://www.valuepenguin.com/how-become-optometrist
Do you have any schools you recommend best for Optometry?
Jam
It really depends on what your personal goals are. I suggest reading the missions of some optometry schools and seeing which most align with your own values and goals. Good luck!
Maya Ibelaidene