Optometry is the field involving virtually everything that has to do with eyes and vision, including examination, diagnosis, and treatment of the eyes and surrounding structures, and the treatment of vision problems.

Today's optometrists are the primary health care professionals for the eye. Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye, and associated structures. They also identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS for all schools of optometry include at least one year of Biology or Zoology, General Chemistry, General Physics, English and College Math.  Students should choose try to decide early which optometry school(s) to attend, and follow those schools' specific prerequisites.

Pre-requisites for applying to a typical optometry program:

  • BIOL 211/211L & BIOL 213/213L for Biology majors entering Fall 2010 and later, or all non-Biology majors (non-BIOL majors will need special permission to enroll in these courses; Procedure for non-BIOL majors to register for BIOL courses);
  • Biology majors entering prior to Fall 2010 must take BIOL 151/151L & BIOL 201/201L
  • CHEM 121/121L - 122/122/L (this course should be completed as soon as possible)
  • CHEM 321/321L - 322/322L
  • PHYS 151/151L - 152/152L
  • BIOL 314/314/L - 315/315/L
  • BIOL 301/301L
  • BIOL 414
  • MATH 125
  • MATH 140 (possibly also MATH 240)
  • 2 courses in Psychology

Applicants are expected to have had some experience in optometry settings, and should be able to provide strong letters of recommendation from teachers, optometrists(s), and others who can attest to the applicant’s character and attributes.

You will have to take the OAT - Optometry Admission Test.

Applications are generally submitted 1 or 2 years before matriculation.

Most Optometry Schools use the centralized application service (CAS) - OptomCAS.

For a listing of accredited optometry schools in the United States, see the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry or the OptomCAS Directory of Schools and Colleges.