List of optometry schools
Encyclopedia
The following list of optometry
schools covers many countries but the list is not exhaustive. Internationally, optometry as a profession includes different levels of education. The institutions listed below provide academic and professional education and clinical training that ranges from Doctor of Optometry degree level to other professional degrees in optometry and also non-degree level education leading to a diploma or other qualifications in optometry.
In many countries the role of optometry is statutorily defined, practice is regulated and there is uniformity in professional education and clinical training and the scope of practice is consistent with the definition of optometry as a profession. In such countries the nomenclature of terminal qualification may be reviewed as and when necessary. In Australia, for example, Doctor of Optometry (OD) is now established at University of Melbourne (first intake 2011) and OD is described as 'an internationally recognised qualification and the gold standard for optometry education'.
This is a list of optometry schools sorted alphabetically by country.
The four year degree offered by QUT is followed by a year long graduate certificate in therapeutics. This degree course is no longer offered, and instead a three-year undergraduate course in Vision Science followed by a two-year Masters has been started graduates of which will be therapeutically endorsed. All three institutions award the degree with Honours to high achieving students, and also offer the Master of Optometry (MOptom) and PhD programs. The scope of Optometry practiced in Australia, is similar to that practiced in New Zealand, UK, Canada, and the USA, where Optometry is considered a primary health profession. Entry into the three optometry schools is extremely competitive, with students requiring a University Admission Index (UAI) higher than those required by Law, Medicine and Dentistry. In 2006 the UAI cut-off for the UNSW program was 99.00 and the ENTER cut-off for The University of Melbourne was 99.65.
In light of the development of the 'Melbourne Model' at the University of Melbourne, the year 2011 will see the introduction of a new four-year Doctor of Optometry Program (OD)http://www.optometry.unimelb.edu.au/courses/OD.html, which will require students to complete an undergraduate degree prior to entering the OD program. It is anticipated that similar changes will be adapted by the University of New South Wales and the Queensland University of Technology in the years to come, though there is no evidence to support this rumour.
Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia is now offering an Optometry course. This takes 5 years and consists of a Bachelor of Science (Vision Science) and a Master of Optometry. It is the only optometry degree offered in South Australia.
Deakin University in Geelong, Vic, will begin a new course in Optometry at the start of the 2012 academic year. This course is being supported jointly by the two largest corporate dispensing chains in Australia Specsavers
and Luxottica
. It will become the first university in Australia to offer a 3.5 year optometry degree. It is anticipated that a shorter post graduate course will be available in 2013 for students already with an undergraduate degree.
In support of the University offerings the Australian College of Optometry
http://www.aco.org.au provides clinical placements for Australian and International University's and on going continual professional development for members of the Optometry profession.
It must be pointed out that the Brazilian Government doesn't legally recognize optometry as a profession; and the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology constantly fights to prevent optometry from becoming a legalized profession. All optometry courses in Brazil are legal.
n educational institutions offering degrees in optometry. Two of them offer postgraduate courses: Universidad Santo Tomas in Bucaramanga and Universidad de La Salle in Bogotá, only one offers a Master in Vision Science: Universidad de La Salle, Bogotá.
universities running an optometry programme (both bachelor's and master's degrees):
In 1958, two schools of optometry were established, one at Gandhi Eye Hospital, Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh and the other one at Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh, under the second five-year plan by Director General of Health Services of Government of India. These schools offered Diploma in Optometry courses of two years duration. Subsequently four more schools were opened across India situated at Sitapur Eye Hospital, Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh, Chennai (formerly Madras) in Tamil Nadu, Bangaluru (formerly Bangalore) in Karnataka and Thiruvanthipuram (formerly Trivandrum) in Kerala. Elite School of Optometry (ESO) was established in 1985 at Chennai and was the first to offer a four-year degree course.
The four-year degree courses are offered in well established schools and institutions including All India Institute of Medical Sciences - New Delhi; Elite School of Optometry attached to Shankar Netralaya - Chennai; Bausch and Lomb School attached to L. V. Prasad Eye Institute - Hyderabad; Bharati Vidyapeeth University Medical College - Pune; Manipal College of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal; Dr. D.Y. Patil Institute of Optometry - Pimpri, Pune; Lotus College of Optometry at Mumbai; Nethradhama school of optometry, Bangalore; Sankara College of Optometry in the state of Karnataka launched under the aegis of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and Dr.Anand College of Optometry and Vision Science at Salem, Tamil Nadu in collaboration with Periyar University. Presently more colleges and schools of optometry in India are offering a four-year degree course based on the CMOC curriculum endorsed by the ASCO.-http://asco-india.org/
India needs approximately 115,000 optometrists. Currently India has approximately 9000 optometrists (four year trained) and 40,000 eye care personnel (two year trained). It should be noted that definition of optometry differs considerably in different countries of the world. India needs more optometry schools offering four-year degree courses with a syllabus similar to that in force in those countries where optometry is very well established with an internationally accepted definition.
Postgraduate education in optometry in India is also offered leading to M.Optom, MSc, MPhil and PhD by several universities and institutions. The following list includes educational institutions offering four-year degree courses, and also two-year diploma and other non-degree courses: http://www.webindia123.com/career/options/optometry/data/institutes.htm#elit:
Educational Institutions
1. School of Medical Sciences,University Of Hyderabad.(5years integrated masters programme in optometry & vision sciences). http://www.uohyd.ernet.in
2. All India Institute of Optometrical Sciences (AIIOS), Kolkata. [B. S.(Optometry)] http://aiios.org
3. Nethradhama school of optometry, Bangalore.
4. Aditya Jyot Institute of Optometry, Mumbai
( B.Sc)
5. All India Institute of Medical Sciences
(AIIMS), New Delhi
http://www.aiims.edu( B.Ophthal.Tech)
6. Bausch & Lomb School of Optometry, Hyderabad http://www.lvpei.org.ogg
( B.S.Optometry)
7. Bharati Vidyapeeth's Medical College, Pune http://www.bvuniversity.edu.in/Boptometry.html
( B.Optom and M.Optom)
8. College of Optometry and Ophthalmic Sciences, Nasik
( B.Sc Optometry)
9. Elite School Of Optometry, Chennai
http://www.sankaranethralaya.org/op_elite.htm
( B.S.Optometry and M.Phil optometry)
10. Manipal College of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal
(B.Optom & M.Optom)
11. Lions Arvind Institute of Community Ophthalmology, Madurai (Diploma)
12. MEH School of Optometry, Mumbai
(Diploma)
13. Nagar School of Optometry, Ahmedabad B.Optom and M.Optom
14. Optometry Research & Training Institute (ORTI), Uttar Pradesh
15. Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital & Institute of Ophthalmology, Hyderabad (Diploma)
16. Schells Eye Hospital (Unit of Christian Medical College), Vellore (B.Sc)
17. School of Optometry, Gandhi Eye Hospital, Aligarh
18. School of Optometry, Janakalyan Eye Hospital, Lucknow
19. School of Optometry: Regional institute of Ophthalmology, Government Ophthalmic Hospital, Chennai
(Diploma)
20. School of Orthoptics & Optometry, Sitapur
21. The Lotus College of Optometry, Mumbai
(B.Sc -Open university YCMOU, M.Sc( Private Certificate)
22. Harijyot college of optometry, Navsari, Gujarat( B.Sc,M.Sc)
23. Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh
24. M.N.College of Optometry, Chennai
(B.Sc)
25. College of Optometry, Miraj, Maharashtra
26. Lotus Bausch & Lomb Institute of Optometry, Lotus Eye Care Hospital, Coimbatore http://www.lotuseye.org
27. Shri Prakash Institute Of Optometry (Unit of Dr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital & Eye Research Centre),19 Cathedral Road, Chennai
http://www.dragarwal.com
28. NSHM Knowledge Campus (Dept. of Optometry & Vision Science), Durgapur, (B. Optm, Masters in Applied Optometry & Visual Science) West Bengal http://www.nshm.com
29. Sankara College of Optometry, Bangalore ( A unit of Sankara Eye Care Institutions, India)
30. George College of Management and Science, Kolkata
31. Hyderabad Central University, (offers MSc in Optometry and Vision Sciences)
32. NIMS University, Udaipur, Rajasthan (offers Degree and Diploma courses in Optometry)
33. U.P. State Medical Faculty (validates courses leading to Diplomas in Optometry and Orthoptics)
34. J.N.R.V.University, Udaipur, Rajasthan
35. I.G.O.N.University, Delhi
36. West Bengal Technology University
37. Malabar College of Health Education, Bharathiyar University, Calicut, Kerala
38. Rayhan Eye Hospital & Laser centre,Edappal,Malappuram District,Kerala Under IGNOU & Bharathiar University
39. Pailan college of management & technology joka, kolkata.
40. Academi of Optometrist, Kolkata.
41. Al Salama College of Optometry (ASCO), Perintalmanna, Kerala
42. Dr.Anand College of Optometry and Vision Science at Salem, in collaboration with Periyar University in Tamil Nadu.
43. Vidyasagar College of Optometry and Vision Science, Kolkata (B.Optom-4 Years Course)
It must be pointed out that Italy Government don't legally recognize an optometry profession; anyway optometrist are allowed to practice (given they own also an optician diploma).
On the other hand, the profession of optician is regulated and there are 15 State Vocational School for opticians (where optometry and contact lens are taught) throughout the nation (Brescia, Ancona, Roma, Napoli, Salerno, Avellino, Genova, Reggio Emilia, Savona, Cividale, Pieve di Cadore to name some of them); the students enter this school program at 13 years of age and study for five years until he/she reach the "Optician Diploma" (that allow to practice as optician) or enter similar program at 18 years (with a high school diploma or "esame di stato") and study for 2 year in a private school.
There are many others Optometry courses in private institution (near Firenze, in Bologna, in Milano to name few), none of them giving a degree; instead they offer advanced professional education for already qualified opticians.
No post-graduate programs are available.
Entry requirements: 12 years of school education (10+2 with Biology, ISc with Biology, A levels with Biology)
Procedure:Written Entrance Test
Yearly intake: 6 (national) +1 or 2 international(varies)
The Netherlands has a four-year bachelor degree.
They all run a six-year professional programme leading to the attainment of the O.D. The University of Benin also offers MSc and PhD programs as well.
University of Benin
, Ugbowo, Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria.
PIO situated at Rawalpindi in Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital.
COAVS situated Mayo hospital at Lahore.
isra post graduate institute of opthalamology, isra school of optometry, al ibraheem eye hospital, old thana, malir karachi.
PICO situated at Peshawar.
RMC situate at Rawalpindi Pakistan offering 4 years BSC optometry degree.
Offers 4 years BSC Hons degree in Optometry
educational institutions offering degrees in optometry:
These institutions are very respected and well funded for the simple reason that they are located in the most important cities in Russia. St. Petersburg College has had well established relationships with Carl Zeiss and Essilor for more than 35 years and has 8 complete exam rooms with OCT, Corneal Topography, Perimetry and etc. equipment. College collaborates with St. Petersburg Military Hospital and St. Petersburg State University's Ophthalmology and Experimental Optics Departments.
The Optometry program is a 4-year program that includes 1-2 science foundation years, 3rd clinical/proff. skills year and clinical rotations in hospitals (4th year). Graduates after college/state examinations receive a specialist diploma that is valid only for 5 years and needs to be renewed every 5 years after additional training within state accredited programs. The scope of practice is as followed: refraction, contact lens fitting, spectacles construction and lens fitting (dispensing), Vermont, low vision aids, foreign body removal, referrals to other specialists after clinical condition diagnoses (management of diseases in the eye).
The educational system in Russia is in transitional period after the Bologna agreement on a new degree system (division to B.Sc. and M.Sc.) so this program probably will be changed to follow the newly set standards.
in Russian: САНКТ-ПЕТЕРБУРГСКИЙ МЕДИКО-ТЕХНИЧЕСКИЙ КОЛЛЕДЖ МИНЗДРАВА РОССИИ / Санкт-Петербургский колледж медицинской электроники и оптики
http://www.mtkspb.ru/
in Russian: Московский научно-исследовательский институт глазных болезней им.Гельмгольца
http://www.helmholtzeyeinstitute.ru/rus/index.php
:
In 2009 University of Manchester (UK) and Singapore Polytechnic set up a degree course in optometry within the premises of Singapore Polytechnic. However, none of the lecturers are from the University of Manchester (UK), and the degree is not recognised by the General Optical Council (GOC) in the United Kingdom.
There is another optometry course offer by PCO from USA. Graduates from this course can only register their certificate as an additional qualification with OOB, but cannot be use as a basic and primary certificate to register and practice as a optometrist in Singapore.
, Gauteng
, http://www.uj.ac.za/optometry/
University of KwaZulu-Natal
, Westville campus, Durban
, http://spso.ukzn.ac.za/Homepage.aspx
University of Free State, Bloemfontein
, Free State
, http://health.ufs.ac.za/content.aspx?dcode=063
University of Limpopo
, http://www.ul.ac.za/index.php?Entity=Optometry
The course is also undergone by other SAARC countries: Nepal, Maldives and Pakistan.
Meantime part time courses are conducted by private institutes to provide diploma for private sectors. Namely EYE CARE INSTITUTE and SRI LANKA OPTOMETRIST ASSOCIATION.
The government of Sri Lanka does not recognize optometry as a profession and has no rule and regulation to date.
http://www.neelain.edu.sd/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87:2009-12-14-12-32-06&catid=54:2009-12-14-11-48-33&Itemid=41
https://utb.lnu.se/education/programmes/ngopt?l=en
Karolinska Institutet offers a 3 years bachelor degree in Optometry and a one year master program in clinical Optometry.
Bachelors Program: http://ki.se/ki/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=19088&l=en
Master Program: http://ki.se/utbildningsprogram?progCode=3OP08
.
Optometry
Optometry is a health care profession concerned with eyes and related structures, as well as vision, visual systems, and vision information processing in humans. Optometrists, or Doctors of Optometry, are state licensed medical professionals trained to prescribe and fit lenses to improve vision,...
schools covers many countries but the list is not exhaustive. Internationally, optometry as a profession includes different levels of education. The institutions listed below provide academic and professional education and clinical training that ranges from Doctor of Optometry degree level to other professional degrees in optometry and also non-degree level education leading to a diploma or other qualifications in optometry.
In many countries the role of optometry is statutorily defined, practice is regulated and there is uniformity in professional education and clinical training and the scope of practice is consistent with the definition of optometry as a profession. In such countries the nomenclature of terminal qualification may be reviewed as and when necessary. In Australia, for example, Doctor of Optometry (OD) is now established at University of Melbourne (first intake 2011) and OD is described as 'an internationally recognised qualification and the gold standard for optometry education'.
This is a list of optometry schools sorted alphabetically by country.
Australia
There are 5 Australian educational institutions offering degrees in optometry. There are two five-year bachelor level degrees, that incorporate the therapeutic management of ocular disease.- University of MelbourneUniversity of MelbourneThe University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
http://www.optometry.unimelb.edu.au BOptom - University of New South WalesUniversity of New South WalesThe University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
http://www.optom.unsw.edu.au BOptom/BSc(Vision Science) - Queensland University of TechnologyQueensland University of TechnologyQueensland University of Technology is an Australian university with an applied emphasis in courses and research. Based in Brisbane, it has 40,000 students, including 6,000 international students, over 4,000 staff members, and an annual budget of more than A$750 million.QUT is marketed as "A...
http://www.hlth.qut.edu.au/opt/ BAppSc(Optom) - Replaced with Bachelor of Vision Science / Master of Optometry from February 2009. The first class from the new course will graduate in 2013. - Flinders UniversityFlinders UniversityFlinders University, , is a public university in Adelaide, South Australia. Founded in 1966, it was named in honour of navigator Matthew Flinders, who explored and surveyed the South Australian coastline in the early 19th century.The university has established a reputation as a leading research...
http://www.flinders.edu.au/courses/undergrad/bmsmopt Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science), Master of Optometry - Deakin UniversityDeakin UniversityDeakin University is an Australian public university with nearly 40,000 higher education students in 2010. It receives more than A$600 million in operating revenue annually, and controls more than A$1.3 billion in assets. It received more than A$35 million in research income in 2009 and had 835...
http://www.deakin.edu.au/hmnbs/medicine/optometry/course-overview.php Bachelor, graduate entry and Masters degrees.
In light of the development of the 'Melbourne Model' at the University of Melbourne, the year 2011 will see the introduction of a new four-year Doctor of Optometry Program (OD)http://www.optometry.unimelb.edu.au/courses/OD.html, which will require students to complete an undergraduate degree prior to entering the OD program. It is anticipated that similar changes will be adapted by the University of New South Wales and the Queensland University of Technology in the years to come, though there is no evidence to support this rumour.
Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia is now offering an Optometry course. This takes 5 years and consists of a Bachelor of Science (Vision Science) and a Master of Optometry. It is the only optometry degree offered in South Australia.
Deakin University in Geelong, Vic, will begin a new course in Optometry at the start of the 2012 academic year. This course is being supported jointly by the two largest corporate dispensing chains in Australia Specsavers
Specsavers
Specsavers Optical Group Ltd is the biggest optical retailer in the UK and Ireland. It is also the biggest of the four major opticians that control 70% of the British market for spectacles and contact lenses, with Specsavers having a 39% share of the market...
and Luxottica
Luxottica
Luxottica Group S.p.A. is the world's largest eyewear company. Its best known brands include Ray-Ban, Persol and Oakley, Inc.. It also makes sunglasses and prescription frames for a multitude of designer brands such as Chanel and Prada, whose designs and trademarks are used under license...
. It will become the first university in Australia to offer a 3.5 year optometry degree. It is anticipated that a shorter post graduate course will be available in 2013 for students already with an undergraduate degree.
In support of the University offerings the Australian College of Optometry
Australian College of Optometry
The Australian College of Optometry is located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It was founded in 1939 to train optometrists. Optometry training is now undertaken in tertiary institutions, however, the College continues to work closely with the University of Melbourne, and other Universities, in...
http://www.aco.org.au provides clinical placements for Australian and International University's and on going continual professional development for members of the Optometry profession.
Brazil
- Universidade do Contestado http://www.cni.unc.br/unc_novo/cursos/opto/opto.php, as a partner of Fundación Universitaria San Martín, of BogotáBogotáBogotá, Distrito Capital , from 1991 to 2000 called Santa Fé de Bogotá, is the capital, and largest city, of Colombia. It is also designated by the national constitution as the capital of the department of Cundinamarca, even though the city of Bogotá now comprises an independent Capital district...
, ColombiaColombiaColombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
.
It must be pointed out that the Brazilian Government doesn't legally recognize optometry as a profession; and the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology constantly fights to prevent optometry from becoming a legalized profession. All optometry courses in Brazil are legal.
Canada
There are 2 Canadian educational institutions offering doctorate level degrees in optometry:- University of Waterloo School of OptometryUniversity of Waterloo School of OptometryThe School of Optometry is one of the professional schools at the University of Waterloo. It is housed in the Faculty of Science. It is the larger of the two optometry schools in Canada, and the only facility for English-language optometry instruction in the country...
, Ontario http://www.optometry.uwaterloo.ca - Université de MontréalUniversité de MontréalThe Université de Montréal is a public francophone research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It comprises thirteen faculties, more than sixty departments and two affiliated schools: the École Polytechnique and HEC Montréal...
, Québec http://www.opto.umontreal.ca
Colombia
There are 7 ColombiaColombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
n educational institutions offering degrees in optometry. Two of them offer postgraduate courses: Universidad Santo Tomas in Bucaramanga and Universidad de La Salle in Bogotá, only one offers a Master in Vision Science: Universidad de La Salle, Bogotá.
- Universidad de La Salle, Bogotá http://www.unisalle.edu.co
- Universidad Santo Tomás, Bucaramanga http://www.ustabuca.edu.co/
- Universidad MetropolitanaUniversidad MetropolitanaThe Metropolitan University was founded in 1970 by a group of entrepreneurs led by Eugenio Mendoza Goiticoa in the terrains donated by the businessman Pius Schlageter, father of the venezuelan painter Eduardo Schlageter. It is located in the city of Caracas, Venezuela, near Petare.Today, the...
, Barranquilla http://www.unimetro.edu.co/ - Fundación Universitaria del Area Andina, Pereira http://www.funandi.edu.co/ & Bogotá http://www.areandina.edu.co/
- Fundación Universitaria San Martín, Bogotá http://190.254.23.166/
- Universidad Antonio Nariño, Bogotá http://www.uan.edu.co/
- Universidad del Bosque, Bogotá http://www.uelbosque.edu.co/
Czech Republic
Presently,there are two CzechCzech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
universities running an optometry programme (both bachelor's and master's degrees):
- Masaryk UniversityMasaryk UniversityMasaryk University is the second largest university in the Czech Republic, a member of the Compostela Group and the Utrecht Network. Founded in 1919 in Brno as the third Czech university , it now consists of nine faculties and 42,182 students...
in BrnoBrnoBrno by population and area is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, the largest Moravian city, and the historical capital city of the Margraviate of Moravia. Brno is the administrative centre of the South Moravian Region where it forms a separate district Brno-City District...
http://www.muni.cz - Palacký University in OlomoucOlomoucOlomouc is a city in Moravia, in the east of the Czech Republic. The city is located on the Morava river and is the ecclesiastical metropolis and historical capital city of Moravia. Nowadays, it is an administrative centre of the Olomouc Region and sixth largest city in the Czech Republic...
http://www.optometry.cz
Ghana
Presently, there are two Ghanaian universities running the Doctor of Optometry degree program. Both universities run a six year program leading to the award of the degree.- University of Cape CoastUniversity of Cape CoastThe University of Cape Coast, Ghana, is one of the rare sea-front universities in the world. The university was established in 1962 out of a dire need for highly qualified and skilled manpower in education and was affiliated to the University of Ghana...
http://physical_sciences.ucc.edu.gh/optometry - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyKwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologyKwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology is a university located in Kumasi, Ghana.It is the second public university established in the country. The University has its roots in the plans of the Asantehene Agyeman Prempeh I to establish a university in Kumasi as part of his drive...
http://knust.edu.gh
Hong Kong
There is currently 1 university offering bachelor's degree in optometry and graduate degree in visual science.- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University http://www.polyu.edu.hk/~so
India
All India Institute of Optometrical Sciences (AIIOS) is an academic institute of Indian Optical Institute & Refraction Hospital Trust (IOI & RHT), established in 1932, the pioneer institution in Optometry in India . The study of Optometry as a science and profession, was not given much thought in India in the past until it was realised by Professor A.K .Banerjee, who qualified in England in Optometry in 1928 and returned to India with a dream of training young people in Optometry.In 1958, two schools of optometry were established, one at Gandhi Eye Hospital, Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh and the other one at Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh, under the second five-year plan by Director General of Health Services of Government of India. These schools offered Diploma in Optometry courses of two years duration. Subsequently four more schools were opened across India situated at Sitapur Eye Hospital, Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh, Chennai (formerly Madras) in Tamil Nadu, Bangaluru (formerly Bangalore) in Karnataka and Thiruvanthipuram (formerly Trivandrum) in Kerala. Elite School of Optometry (ESO) was established in 1985 at Chennai and was the first to offer a four-year degree course.
The four-year degree courses are offered in well established schools and institutions including All India Institute of Medical Sciences - New Delhi; Elite School of Optometry attached to Shankar Netralaya - Chennai; Bausch and Lomb School attached to L. V. Prasad Eye Institute - Hyderabad; Bharati Vidyapeeth University Medical College - Pune; Manipal College of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal; Dr. D.Y. Patil Institute of Optometry - Pimpri, Pune; Lotus College of Optometry at Mumbai; Nethradhama school of optometry, Bangalore; Sankara College of Optometry in the state of Karnataka launched under the aegis of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and Dr.Anand College of Optometry and Vision Science at Salem, Tamil Nadu in collaboration with Periyar University. Presently more colleges and schools of optometry in India are offering a four-year degree course based on the CMOC curriculum endorsed by the ASCO.-http://asco-india.org/
India needs approximately 115,000 optometrists. Currently India has approximately 9000 optometrists (four year trained) and 40,000 eye care personnel (two year trained). It should be noted that definition of optometry differs considerably in different countries of the world. India needs more optometry schools offering four-year degree courses with a syllabus similar to that in force in those countries where optometry is very well established with an internationally accepted definition.
Postgraduate education in optometry in India is also offered leading to M.Optom, MSc, MPhil and PhD by several universities and institutions. The following list includes educational institutions offering four-year degree courses, and also two-year diploma and other non-degree courses: http://www.webindia123.com/career/options/optometry/data/institutes.htm#elit:
Educational Institutions
1. School of Medical Sciences,University Of Hyderabad.(5years integrated masters programme in optometry & vision sciences). http://www.uohyd.ernet.in
2. All India Institute of Optometrical Sciences (AIIOS), Kolkata. [B. S.(Optometry)] http://aiios.org
3. Nethradhama school of optometry, Bangalore.
4. Aditya Jyot Institute of Optometry, Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
( B.Sc)
5. All India Institute of Medical Sciences
All India Institute of Medical Sciences
All India Institute of Medical Sciences is a premier medical college and teaching hospital based in New Delhi, India. The Institute operates autonomously under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare ....
(AIIMS), New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
http://www.aiims.edu( B.Ophthal.Tech)
6. Bausch & Lomb School of Optometry, Hyderabad http://www.lvpei.org.ogg
( B.S.Optometry)
7. Bharati Vidyapeeth's Medical College, Pune http://www.bvuniversity.edu.in/Boptometry.html
( B.Optom and M.Optom)
8. College of Optometry and Ophthalmic Sciences, Nasik
( B.Sc Optometry)
9. Elite School Of Optometry, Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
http://www.sankaranethralaya.org/op_elite.htm
( B.S.Optometry and M.Phil optometry)
10. Manipal College of Allied Health Sciences, Manipal University, Manipal
(B.Optom & M.Optom)
11. Lions Arvind Institute of Community Ophthalmology, Madurai (Diploma)
12. MEH School of Optometry, Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
(Diploma)
13. Nagar School of Optometry, Ahmedabad B.Optom and M.Optom
14. Optometry Research & Training Institute (ORTI), Uttar Pradesh
15. Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital & Institute of Ophthalmology, Hyderabad (Diploma)
16. Schells Eye Hospital (Unit of Christian Medical College), Vellore (B.Sc)
17. School of Optometry, Gandhi Eye Hospital, Aligarh
18. School of Optometry, Janakalyan Eye Hospital, Lucknow
19. School of Optometry: Regional institute of Ophthalmology, Government Ophthalmic Hospital, Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
(Diploma)
20. School of Orthoptics & Optometry, Sitapur
21. The Lotus College of Optometry, Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
(B.Sc -Open university YCMOU, M.Sc( Private Certificate)
22. Harijyot college of optometry, Navsari, Gujarat( B.Sc,M.Sc)
23. Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh
24. M.N.College of Optometry, Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
(B.Sc)
25. College of Optometry, Miraj, Maharashtra
26. Lotus Bausch & Lomb Institute of Optometry, Lotus Eye Care Hospital, Coimbatore http://www.lotuseye.org
27. Shri Prakash Institute Of Optometry (Unit of Dr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital & Eye Research Centre),19 Cathedral Road, Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
http://www.dragarwal.com
28. NSHM Knowledge Campus (Dept. of Optometry & Vision Science), Durgapur, (B. Optm, Masters in Applied Optometry & Visual Science) West Bengal http://www.nshm.com
29. Sankara College of Optometry, Bangalore ( A unit of Sankara Eye Care Institutions, India)
30. George College of Management and Science, Kolkata
Kolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
31. Hyderabad Central University, (offers MSc in Optometry and Vision Sciences)
32. NIMS University, Udaipur, Rajasthan (offers Degree and Diploma courses in Optometry)
33. U.P. State Medical Faculty (validates courses leading to Diplomas in Optometry and Orthoptics)
34. J.N.R.V.University, Udaipur, Rajasthan
35. I.G.O.N.University, Delhi
36. West Bengal Technology University
37. Malabar College of Health Education, Bharathiyar University, Calicut, Kerala
38. Rayhan Eye Hospital & Laser centre,Edappal,Malappuram District,Kerala Under IGNOU & Bharathiar University
39. Pailan college of management & technology joka, kolkata.
40. Academi of Optometrist, Kolkata.
41. Al Salama College of Optometry (ASCO), Perintalmanna, Kerala
42. Dr.Anand College of Optometry and Vision Science at Salem, in collaboration with Periyar University in Tamil Nadu.
43. Vidyasagar College of Optometry and Vision Science, Kolkata (B.Optom-4 Years Course)
Iran
- Shahid Beshti medical university http://www.sbmu.ac.ir/Pages/Default.aspx Tehran
- Mashhad University of Medical Sciences http://www.mums.ac.ir Mashhad
- Iran University of Medical SciencesIran University of Medical SciencesIran University of Medical Sciences was one of the largest medical schools in Iran.Located in Tehran, it was founded in 1974 under the name The Imperial Medical Center, and designed by William Pereira and Associates....
http://www.iums.ac.ir Tehran - Zahedan University of Medical Sciences http://www.zdmu.ac.ir zahedan.
Ireland
There is only one optometry program in the Republic of Ireland. This program leads to a BSc (Optometry).- Dublin Institute of TechnologyDublin Institute of TechnologyDublin Institute of Technology was established officially in 1992 under the but had been previously set up in 1978 on an ad-hoc basis. The institution can trace its origins back to 1887 with the establishment of various technical institutions in Dublin, Ireland...
http://optometry.dit.ie/programme.html Dublin
Israel
There are two optometry programmes in the State of Israel; one at Bar-Ilan University and the other at Hadassah CollegeItaly
Currently there are seven State Universities (Milano, Padova, Lecce, Roma, Firenze, Napoli, Torino) offering a three years university degree in Optics and Optometry (=Ottica e Optometria), formally a kind of physics degree. The students may enter the program at 18–19 years of age, like all the Universities in Italy. "Ottica and Optometry" university programs start in 2001 and roughly 90 are the graduates.- University of MilanUniversity of MilanThe University of Milan is a higher education institution in Milan, Italy. It is one of the largest universities in Europe, with about 62,801 students, a teaching and research staff of 2,455 and a non-teaching staff of 2,200....
, Italy http://www2.mater.unimib.it/MANIF_OTTICI.html - University of PaduaUniversity of PaduaThe University of Padua is a premier Italian university located in the city of Padua, Italy. The University of Padua was founded in 1222 as a school of law and was one of the most prominent universities in early modern Europe. It is among the earliest universities of the world and the second...
, Italy http://www.fisica.unipd.it/index.php?id=otticaoptometria0
It must be pointed out that Italy Government don't legally recognize an optometry profession; anyway optometrist are allowed to practice (given they own also an optician diploma).
On the other hand, the profession of optician is regulated and there are 15 State Vocational School for opticians (where optometry and contact lens are taught) throughout the nation (Brescia, Ancona, Roma, Napoli, Salerno, Avellino, Genova, Reggio Emilia, Savona, Cividale, Pieve di Cadore to name some of them); the students enter this school program at 13 years of age and study for five years until he/she reach the "Optician Diploma" (that allow to practice as optician) or enter similar program at 18 years (with a high school diploma or "esame di stato") and study for 2 year in a private school.
There are many others Optometry courses in private institution (near Firenze, in Bologna, in Milano to name few), none of them giving a degree; instead they offer advanced professional education for already qualified opticians.
Latvia
There is currently one university in Latvia offering an optometry programme (both bachelor and master degrees):- University of LatviaUniversity of LatviaUniversity of Latvia is a university located in Riga, Latvia. Being established in 1919, University of Latvia is the biggest university in the Baltic states.-History:...
, RigaRigaRiga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
, LatviaLatviaLatvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
http://www.lu.lv/fakultates/fmf/index.html
Malaysia
Currently there are 7 educational institutions offering degrees in optometry:- Universiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaUniversiti Kebangsaan MalaysiaThe National University of Malaysia is a public university located in Bangi, Selangor which is about 35 km south of Kuala Lumpur...
http://www.ukm.my - International University College of Technology TwintechInternational University College Of Technology TwintechThe Twintech International University College of Technology , widely known as "Twintech" for short, is a private publicly funded university college in Malaysia. The main TWINTECH campus is in Bandar Sri Damansara , Selangor with plans to move to bigger campus grounds in Lembah Beringin, Malaysia ...
http://www.twintech.edu.my - Universiti Teknologi MARAUniversiti Teknologi MARAUniversiti Teknologi MARA is a coeducational public university with its main campus located in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.It is the flagship institution of the Universiti Teknologi MARA...
http://www.fsk.uitm.edu.my - International Islamic University MalaysiaInternational Islamic University MalaysiaThe International Islamic University Malaysia , also known as IIUM or UIAM, is a public publicly-funded university in Malaysia. Its main campus is located in Gombak, Selangor with its situated in Petaling Jaya / Nilai and its medical-centric branch in Kuantan, Pahang. The university is sponsored...
http://www.iiu.edu.my - SEGi University CollegeSEGi University CollegeSEGi University College, founded in 1977 as Systematic College, is located in Kuala Lumpur.SEGi University College is a private university college in Malaysia with more than 23,000 students at its campus in UEP Subang Jaya, Kota Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Sarawak.SEGi University College...
http://www.segi.edu.my - Management & Science UniversityManagement & Science UniversityThe Management and Science University is a private university in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.- History :Management and Science University began as a university college, Kolej Universiti Teknologi dan Pengurusan Malaysia , in 2001...
http://www.msu.edu.my - National Institute of Ophthalmology http://www.thoneh.com/nio
Mexico
Mexico has 7 Schools of Optometry at University level:- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México http://www.dgae.unam.mx/planes/optometria.html
- Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Unidad Santo Tomas http://www.cics-sto.ipn.mx/
- Instituto Politecnico Nacional, Unidad Milpa Alta
- Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes http://www.uaa.mx/inicio.htm
- Universidad Xochicalco, Campus Ensenada
- Universidad Xochicalco, Campus Tijuana
- Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez http://www.uacj.mx/icb/carreras/opto/default.htm
Nepal
Nepal has a four-year bachelor degree in optometry at B.P.Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies,Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuwan University. It is the one and only optometry program in Nepal providing a bachelors degree.No post-graduate programs are available.
Entry requirements: 12 years of school education (10+2 with Biology, ISc with Biology, A levels with Biology)
Procedure:Written Entrance Test
Yearly intake: 6 (national) +1 or 2 international(varies)
- B.P.Koirala Lions Centre for ophthalmic studieshttp://www.iom.edu.np/bpklcos/academic.htm
The Netherlands
- University of applied sciences Utrecht.
The Netherlands has a four-year bachelor degree.
New Zealand
New Zealand has a five-year bachelor degree (BOptom). Entry into the second year of the degree requires sufficient marks in one year of general biomedical tertiary study or a prior degree. The therapeutic management of ocular disease is an integral part of the degree. The degree is delivered by the Department of Optometry and Vision Science which is part of the New Zealand National Eye Centre. There is 1 New Zealand educational institution that offers a degree in optometry:- University of AucklandUniversity of AucklandThe University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
http://www.optometry.auckland.ac.nz
Nigeria
There are three major institutions where one can study Optometry which is a primary health (eye)care profession. All three schools offer the O.D.(Doctor of Optometry) degree. They are (in order of age and prestige) The University Of Benin which is a Federal University, Abia state university and Imo state university.They all run a six-year professional programme leading to the attainment of the O.D. The University of Benin also offers MSc and PhD programs as well.
University of Benin
University of Benin (Nigeria)
The University of Benin - also known as UNIBEN - is one of the country's major universities.-History:The university was founded in 1970 by the military government of Samuel Ogbemudia.It teaches in a broad range of subjects, including a medical school...
, Ugbowo, Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria.
Norway
There is only one educational institution offering degrees in optometry. In Norway the optometric profession has been regulated as a healthcare profession since 1988. After a three-year bachelor program one can practice basic optometry. At least one year in clinical practice qualify for a post-degree half-year sandwich course in contact lens fitting, which is regulated as a healthcare specialty. A separate regulation for the use of diagnostic drugs in optometric practice was introduced in 2004.- Buskerud University CollegeBuskerud University CollegeBuskerud University College is a høgskole, a Norwegian state institution of higher education established August 1, 1994 and situated in the county of Buskerud, Norway....
http://www.hibu.no/english/campus_kongsberg/
Pakistan
following Pakistani educational institutions offering degrees in optometry:- Pakistan Institute of Ophthalmology
PIO situated at Rawalpindi in Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital.
- College of Ophthalmology and Allied Vision Sciences
COAVS situated Mayo hospital at Lahore.
- Isra universityIsra UniversityIsra University is located at Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan. It contains Faculties of Medicine and Allied Medical Sciences, Dentistry and Allied Sciences, Engineering Science and Technology, Commerce Economics and Management Sciences and a School of Nursing...
isra post graduate institute of opthalamology, isra school of optometry, al ibraheem eye hospital, old thana, malir karachi.
- secretariat.coavs@gmail.com
- pakistan institute of community ophthalmology
PICO situated at Peshawar.
- Rawalpindi medical college Rawalpindi
RMC situate at Rawalpindi Pakistan offering 4 years BSC optometry degree.
- Munawar Memorial Hospital CHAKWAL
Offers 4 years BSC Hons degree in Optometry
Philippines
Optometric schools in the Philippines confer a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree that varies in length. Some schools have an integrated curriculum where optometry students are admitted to the professional phase school after two years of pre-optometry and other admit students after attaining a bachelors degree:- Centro Escolar UniversityCentro Escolar UniversityCentro Escolar University is a private university in the Philippines. It was founded on June 3, 1907 by two women, Librada Avelino and Carmen de Luna, and was originally called Centro Escolar de Señoritas. It became a university in 1933...
- De Ocampo Memorial Colleges
- Manila Central UniversityManila Central UniversityThe Manila Central University is a private, non-sectarian, non-stock educational institution situated in EDSA, Caloocan City, Philippines. It was founded and first directed in 1904 by Dr. Alejandro M...
- Southwestern University (Philippines)Southwestern University (Philippines)-History:In summer of 1946, when the Philippines was in the rehabilitation process after World War II, Southwestern University was founded with the name Southwestern Colleges...
- University of BaguioUniversity of BaguioThe University of Baguio is a private, multidisciplinary university located in Baguio City, Philippines. The school was founded by Dr. Fernando Gonzaga Bautista and Rosa Castillo Bautista on August 8, 1948 as the Baguio Technical and Commercial Institute with 80 students...
- Cebu Doctors' UniversityCebu Doctors' UniversityCebu Doctors' University is a private university located in Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines. It was founded in 1975 at Cebu City, as Cebu Doctors' College, with the opening of its College of Nursing, one of the first nursing colleges in Cebu. CDU was granted university status by 2005 and moved to...
- Central Colleges of the PhilippinesCentral Colleges of the PhilippinesCentral Colleges of the Philippines is strategically located in Quezon City, beside SM City Sta. Mesa. It is easily accessible to public transport...
- Pines City College (Pines City Educational Center)
- Davao Doctors CollegeDavao Doctors CollegeDavao Doctors College is a nonsectarian academic institution located at Gen. Malvar St., Davao City. Founded in September 1975, Davao Doctors Collge was initially known as the Davao Doctors Hospital School of Nursing and was the brainchild of a group of medical doctors in response to the...
- Lyceum-Northwestern UniversityLyceum-Northwestern UniversityLyceum-Northwestern University is a medical college located in Dagupan City, Philippines founded by Dr. Francisco Quimson Duque and Mrs...
- Mindanao Medical Foundation College
Portugal
There are 2 PortuguesePortugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
educational institutions offering degrees in optometry:
- University of MinhoUniversity of MinhoThe University of Minho is a public university in Portugal, divided in the following spaces:* Largo do Paço , in Braga* Campus of Gualtar, in Braga* Superior School of Nursing, in Braga...
http://www.fisica.uminho.pt - University of Beira InteriorUniversity of Beira InteriorThe University of Beira Interior is a public university located in the city of Covilhã, Portugal...
http://www.ubi.pt
Russia
Optometry in Russia started in a similar way it started in other countries, from opticianry, but always was and still is a government regulated profession. Due to the huge number of ophthalmologists, there are only two educational institutions in Russia (population of more than 146 mill) that teach optometry: one is Saint Petersburg Medical Technical College, the former St. Petersburg College of Medical Electronics and Optics (http://www.mtkspb.ru/), and the second one is The Helmholz Research Institute for Eye Diseases (http://www.helmholtzeyeinstitute.ru/rus/index.php). Both belong to the Ministry of Health and are directly regulated by The Ministry. Annually they produce only about 80 graduates all together. That's the reason why there is a common thought in western countries that there is no Optometry in Russia and the former Soviet Block.These institutions are very respected and well funded for the simple reason that they are located in the most important cities in Russia. St. Petersburg College has had well established relationships with Carl Zeiss and Essilor for more than 35 years and has 8 complete exam rooms with OCT, Corneal Topography, Perimetry and etc. equipment. College collaborates with St. Petersburg Military Hospital and St. Petersburg State University's Ophthalmology and Experimental Optics Departments.
The Optometry program is a 4-year program that includes 1-2 science foundation years, 3rd clinical/proff. skills year and clinical rotations in hospitals (4th year). Graduates after college/state examinations receive a specialist diploma that is valid only for 5 years and needs to be renewed every 5 years after additional training within state accredited programs. The scope of practice is as followed: refraction, contact lens fitting, spectacles construction and lens fitting (dispensing), Vermont, low vision aids, foreign body removal, referrals to other specialists after clinical condition diagnoses (management of diseases in the eye).
The educational system in Russia is in transitional period after the Bologna agreement on a new degree system (division to B.Sc. and M.Sc.) so this program probably will be changed to follow the newly set standards.
- St. Petersburg State Medical Technical College (former St. Petersburg State College of Medical Electronics and Optics)
in Russian: САНКТ-ПЕТЕРБУРГСКИЙ МЕДИКО-ТЕХНИЧЕСКИЙ КОЛЛЕДЖ МИНЗДРАВА РОССИИ / Санкт-Петербургский колледж медицинской электроники и оптики
http://www.mtkspb.ru/
- The Helmholz Research Institute for Eye Diseases
in Russian: Московский научно-исследовательский институт глазных болезней им.Гельмгольца
http://www.helmholtzeyeinstitute.ru/rus/index.php
Saudi Arabia
There are two optometry schools in Saudi Arabia :- King Saud University, Riyadh, which offers BS degree in optometry (BSOpt). It is the first university that started the optometry program in the middle-East region. Program started with only five faculty members from United States and United Kingdom. The school offers Bachelor of Sciences in optometry. To achieve this degree, students have to complete 6-year program (5 years of course work and clinic practice, ending with a final project in vision sciences field + 1 internship year in three Saudi Eye Hospitals). Student then assigned as Qualified Practical Optometrist. Also, the school offers Msc degree for 2 years. www.ksu.edu.sa
- Qassim university, Buraidah, which offers optometry doctor degree (OD). The department has been opened at the second semester of the university year 1428/1429 (2007/2008). The O.D program is a doctorate program with 7 years studies and a total credit of no less than 200 hours compared to 140 hours in the bachelor system. www.qucams.edu.sa
Singapore
There are currently two schools of optometry in SingaporeSingapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
:
- Singapore PolytechnicSingapore PolytechnicSingapore Polytechnic , the first polytechnic established in Singapore, was founded in 1954. The former campus was originally located at Prince Edward Road...
- Ngee Ann PolytechnicNgee Ann PolytechnicNgee Ann Polytechnic , is an institute of higher learning in Singapore, founded in 1963 as Ngee Ann College with 116 students...
http://www.np.edu.sg/hs/courses/opt/ - Optometry in SingaporeOptometry in SingaporeOptometry is a health care profession that provides comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes the diagnosis and management of eye diseases. The practice of optometry in Singapore is largely cb. The public in Singapore generally are not aware that optometrists are able to screen for eye...
In 2009 University of Manchester (UK) and Singapore Polytechnic set up a degree course in optometry within the premises of Singapore Polytechnic. However, none of the lecturers are from the University of Manchester (UK), and the degree is not recognised by the General Optical Council (GOC) in the United Kingdom.
There is another optometry course offer by PCO from USA. Graduates from this course can only register their certificate as an additional qualification with OOB, but cannot be use as a basic and primary certificate to register and practice as a optometrist in Singapore.
South Africa
University of JohannesburgUniversity of Johannesburg
The University of Johannesburg came into existence on 1 January 2005 as the result of a merger between the Technikon Witwatersrand and the Rand Afrikaans University . Prior to the merger, the Daveyton and Soweto campuses of the former Vista University had been incorporated into RAU...
, Gauteng
Gauteng
Gauteng is one of the nine provinces of South Africa. It was formed from part of the old Transvaal Province after South Africa's first all-race elections on 27 April 1994...
, http://www.uj.ac.za/optometry/
University of KwaZulu-Natal
University of KwaZulu-Natal
The University of KwaZulu-Natal or UKZN is a university with five campuses all located in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. It was formed on 1 January 2004 after the merger between the University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville.-History:-University of...
, Westville campus, Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
, http://spso.ukzn.ac.za/Homepage.aspx
University of Free State, Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
, Free State
Free State
The Free State is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bloemfontein, which is also South Africa's judicial capital. Its historical origins lie in the Orange Free State Boer republic and later Orange Free State Province. The current borders of the province date from 1994 when the Bantustans...
, http://health.ufs.ac.za/content.aspx?dcode=063
University of Limpopo
University of Limpopo
The University of Limpopo is a university in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. It was formed on 1 January 2005, by the merger of the University of the North and the Medical University of South Africa...
, http://www.ul.ac.za/index.php?Entity=Optometry
Sri Lanka
School of Ophthalmic Technology, established in 1983 by ministry of health at National Eye Hospital Colombo with the initiation of Dr. C E Parker III. Honours the Diploma in Ophthalmic technologist. Still a degree programme does not exist. These ophthalmic technologists are trained for the purpose of government hospitals.The course is also undergone by other SAARC countries: Nepal, Maldives and Pakistan.
Meantime part time courses are conducted by private institutes to provide diploma for private sectors. Namely EYE CARE INSTITUTE and SRI LANKA OPTOMETRIST ASSOCIATION.
The government of Sri Lanka does not recognize optometry as a profession and has no rule and regulation to date.
Sudan
Al-Neelain University offers a 5-year bachelor degree in optometry and visual science.http://www.neelain.edu.sd/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=87:2009-12-14-12-32-06&catid=54:2009-12-14-11-48-33&Itemid=41
Sweden
Linnaeus University, Kalmar offers 3 years bachelor degree in Optometry.https://utb.lnu.se/education/programmes/ngopt?l=en
Karolinska Institutet offers a 3 years bachelor degree in Optometry and a one year master program in clinical Optometry.
Bachelors Program: http://ki.se/ki/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=19088&l=en
Master Program: http://ki.se/utbildningsprogram?progCode=3OP08
Taiwan
There is currently 1 university offering a bachelor's degree in optometry and 2 educational institutions offering an associate degree in optometry:- Chung Shan Medical University http://www.csmu.edu.tw/optometry/
- Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management http://www.jente.edu.tw/教學單位/視光學科網頁/English/English_index.htm
- Shu-Zen College of Medicine and Management http://210.70.21.33/
Thailand
Thai students enter optometry degree program at the end of their 12th grade through an examination. Six years university degree program with Doctor of Optometry degree is a requirement for licensing optometry in Thailand. Currently, there is only one well established optometry program in Thailand with academic cooperation from many optometry colleges and universities from the US.- Ramkhamhaeng University http://www.ihs.ru.ac.th
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
There are 9 educational institutions in the United Kingdom offering degrees in optometry. Six are located in England with one optometry school in each of Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. Additionally, in England, the Institute of Optometry offers a postgraduate professional doctorate in optometry in partnership with London South Bank UniversityLondon South Bank University
London South Bank University is a university in south London. With over 25,000 students and 1,700 staff, it is based in the London Borough of Southwark, near the South Bank of the River Thames, from which it takes its name...
.
England
- Anglia Ruskin UniversityAnglia Ruskin UniversityAnglia Ruskin University is one of the largest universities in Eastern England, United Kingdom, with a total student population of around 30,000.-History:...
- CambridgeCambridgeThe city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
http://www.anglia.ac.uk/ruskin/en/home/faculties/fst/departments/optometry.html/index.html - University of Aston - BirminghamBirminghamBirmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
http://www.aston.ac.uk/prospective-students/ug/pros2006/lhs/02lhsopt.jsp - University of BradfordUniversity of BradfordThe University of Bradford is a British university located in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. The University received its Royal Charter in 1966, making it the 40th University to be created in Britain, but its origins date back to the early 1800s...
http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/lifesci/optometry/index.php - City UniversityCity University, LondonCity University London , is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1894 as the Northampton Institute and became a university in 1966, when it adopted its present name....
- London http://www.city.ac.uk/optometry - University of ManchesterUniversity of ManchesterThe University of Manchester is a public research university located in Manchester, United Kingdom. It is a "red brick" university and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive British universities and the N8 Group...
http://www.manchester.ac.uk/degreeprogrammes/undergraduate/UMBF1-M2B510.htm - University of PlymouthUniversity of PlymouthPlymouth University is the largest university in the South West of England, with over 30,000 students and is 9th largest in the United Kingdom by total number of students . It has almost 3,000 staff...
Scotland
- Glasgow Caledonian UniversityGlasgow Caledonian UniversityGlasgow Caledonian University is a public university in Glasgow, Scotland.The university was constituted by an Act of Parliament on 1 April 1993 as a result of a merger between Glasgow Polytechnic and The Queen's College, Glasgow....
http://hp1.gcal.ac.uk/pls/portal30/my_gcal.VA_Programme_Description?gref=BSOO
Northern Ireland
- University of UlsterUniversity of UlsterThe University of Ulster is a multi-campus, co-educational university located in Northern Ireland. It is the largest single university in Ireland, discounting the federal National University of Ireland...
- ColeraineColeraineColeraine is a large town near the mouth of the River Bann in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is northwest of Belfast and east of Derry, both of which are linked by major roads and railway connections...
campus http://prospectus.ulster.ac.uk/modules/courses/F160UC.html
United States of America
There are 20 American educational institutions offering doctorate level programs in optometry. The programs generally have an undergraduate degree as a prerequisite, and then run four years addressing academic and clinical topics.- AL: University of Alabama at BirminghamUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamThe University of Alabama at Birmingham is a public university in Birmingham in the U.S. state of Alabama. Developing from an extension center established in 1936, the institution became an autonomous institution in 1969 and is today one of three institutions in the University of Alabama System...
http://www.uab.edu/optometry - AZ: Midwestern University-Arizona College of Optometry http://www.midwestern.edu/AZCOPT [Glendale, Arizona]
- CA: University of California, BerkeleyUniversity of California, BerkeleyThe University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
http://spectacle.berkeley.edu - CA: Southern California College of OptometrySouthern California College of OptometrySouthern California College of Optometry is a private, 4-year university, founded in 1904 and is located in Fullerton, California. The college offers a post-baccalaureate program leading to the degree, Doctor of Optometry ....
http://www.scco.edu - CA: Western University of Health SciencesWestern University of Health SciencesWestern University of Health Sciences is a non-profit, private, graduate school for the health professions. The university campus includes 11 major buildings on in downtown Pomona, California....
http://www.westernu.edu/xp/edu/optometry/welcome.xml - FL: Nova Southeastern UniversityNova Southeastern UniversityNova Southeastern University, commonly referred to as NSU or Nova, is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian, research university located in Broward County, Florida, with its main campus in the town of Davie...
http://www.nova.edu - IL: Illinois College of OptometryIllinois College of OptometryThe Illinois College of Optometry is a 4-year private optometry college located in the city of Chicago, Illinois. Graduating approximately 160 optometrists a year, it is the largest optometry college in the United States and is the oldest continually operating educational facility dedicated solely...
http://www.ico.edu - IN: Indiana UniversityIndiana University BloomingtonIndiana University Bloomington is a public research university located in Bloomington, Indiana, in the United States. IU Bloomington is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. Being the flagship campus, IU Bloomington is often referred to simply as IU or Indiana...
http://www.opt.indiana.edu - MA: New England College of OptometryNew England College of OptometryThe New England College of Optometry in Boston, Massachusetts, is the oldest continually operating college of optometry in the United States. It was originally established as the Klein School of Optics in 1894 by Dr. August Andreas Klein, an ophthalmologist...
http://www.neco.edu - MI: Michigan College of OptometryMichigan College of OptometryThe Michigan College of Optometry is a college affiliated with Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan that specializes in optometry. It is the only college of optometry in Michigan....
at Ferris State UniversityFerris State UniversityFerris State University is a public university with its main campus in Big Rapids, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1884 as the Big Rapids Industrial School by Woodbridge Nathan Ferris, an educator from New England who later served as governor of the State of Michigan and finally in the US Senate where...
http://www.ferris.edu/mco - MO: University of Missouri St. Louis http://www.umsl.edu/divisions/optometry
- NY: State University of New YorkState University of New York State College of OptometryThe State University of New York College of Optometry was established in 1971 as a result of a legislative mandate of New York, USA. It is located in midtown Manhattan in New York City in what was originally the Aeolian Building, which was built in 1912 for the Aeolian Company, a piano manufacturer...
http://www.sunyopt.edu - OH: Ohio State UniversityOhio State UniversityThe Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
http://optometry.osu.edu - OK: Northeastern State UniversityNortheastern State UniversityNortheastern State University is a public university with its main campus located in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, United States, at the foot of the Ozark Mountains. Northeastern's home, Tahlequah, is also the capital of the Cherokee nation of Oklahoma...
http://arapaho.nsuok.edu/~optometry - OR: Pacific UniversityPacific UniversityPacific University is a private university located in Oregon, United States. The first campus began more than 160 years ago and is located about 38 km west of Portland in Forest Grove...
http://www.opt.pacificu.edu - PA: Pennsylvania College of OptometryPennsylvania College of OptometrySalus University was established by the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, one of the oldest colleges of optometry in North America, on July 1, 2008. PCO has established degree programs in other disciplines over the past twenty-five years...
http://www.salus.edu/optometry/index.html - PR: Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, School of OptometryInteramerican University of Puerto Rico, School of OptometryFounded in 1981, the Inter American University of Puerto Rico, School of Optometry offers a four-year Doctor of Optometry program and is located in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. In 1992, the School of Optometry became a separate autonomous academic unit within the Inter American University of Puerto Rico...
http://www.optonet.inter.edu - TN: Southern College of OptometrySouthern College of OptometrySouthern College of Optometry is a college of optometry in the United States. It is located in Memphis, Tennessee and is dedicated to the study of optometry, the field of medicine that includes not only the performance of refractive eye examinations and the fitting of necessary corrective lenses or...
http://www.sco.edu - TX: University of HoustonUniversity of HoustonThe University of Houston is a state research university, and is the flagship institution of the University of Houston System. Founded in 1927, it is Texas's third-largest university with nearly 40,000 students. Its campus spans 667 acres in southeast Houston, and was known as University of...
http://www.opt.uh.edu - TX: University of the Incarnate WordUniversity of the Incarnate WordThe University of the Incarnate Word is a private Catholic university located within the cities of San Antonio and Alamo Heights in Texas, United States....
http://www.uiw.edu/optometry/index.htm