Pre-Optometry Profession

An optician is a specialist who assists in the filling of a prescription for eyeglasses. Opticians are trained to make and fit your eyeglasses and contact lenses. They usually work in retail eye glass locations and sometimes within the ophthalmologist’s offices.

An optometrist is a specialist who is a Doctor of Optometry. They are licensed to provide eye exams and to make a diagnosis of eye and vision-related conditions. An optometrist may prescribe contact lenses or eyeglasses. An optometrist, however, does not have the ability to perform any type of eye surgery. “Optometrists are often the doctors’ patients will see for routine vision care, as well as when there is an acute change in vision or status of the eyes. They are able to diagnose and treat many common eye diseases but are also critical in making the appropriate referral when a patient has a more serious problem.”

 An ophthalmologist is a specialist who is medically and surgically trained to treat eye conditions.  Ophthalmologists hold medical degrees, have completed residencies, and are usually fellowship trained in their field. They are certified to perform the full spectrum of eye care and vision needs, from contacts and eyeglasses to surgery.

Students seeking to make a real difference will find no better career than optometry. Only one degree qualifies you to become an optometrist: the Doctor of Optometry (OD), a four-year, doctoral-level degree. While concentrating primarily on structure, function, and disorders of the eye, students in a professional OD program will also take courses in human anatomy, biochemistry, and physiology, among others, to prepare for their role as primary-care doctors protecting patients’ overall health and wellness.

The functional guidelines in optometric education require that the candidate/student possess appropriate abilities in the following areas: 

• Observation Abilities
• Communication Abilities
• Sensory and Motor Coordination Abilities
• Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities
• Behavioral and Social Attributes

OptomCAS

OptomCAS is the centralized application service for the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) and is administered by Liaison International Inc., an education information technology company located in Watertown, MA. OptomCAS allows optometry applicants to use a single web-based application and one set of materials to apply to multiple schools and colleges of optometry. Applicants who apply through OptomCAS submit a completed web-based application comprised of biographical data, colleges and universities attended, academic course history, letters of recommendation, work experience, extracurricular activities, honors and a personal essay. It is the applicant's responsibility to read and follow specific instructions for OptomCAS and the schools and colleges of optometry.

Visit the pages below for more application resources:

• Location of schools and colleges
• School-specific prerequisites
• Optometry centralized application service
• Optometric education student resources
• American Podiatric Medical Association
• American Academy of Optometry