Doctors of Optometry (ODs) are independent primary health care providers who examine, diagnose, treat, and manage diseases and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures, as well as diagnose related systemic conditions. The Optometrist can use drugs for diagnosis and in most states can prescribe drugs to treat eye diseases. Optometrists traditionally prescribe eye glasses, contact lenses, vision therapy, and low-vision aids for the correction of visual disorders. They employ special tests and instruments to identify and evaluate eye problems and defects in vision, and to identify systemic diseases with eye manifestations or diseases which are of life- or sight-threatening severity. An optometrist must have manual dexterity and pay attention to detail.
OD training is 4-years long. There are 17 schools of optometry nationwide, one in Florida (Nova Southeastern). Some schools of optometry accept students with a minimum of 90 hours of undergraduate study. Both Indiana University and Nova Southeastern have early admission programs for highly qualified College Freshmen/Sophomores. This degree program takes careful planning. Please consult an advisor early in your career if you plan to pursue this option. See an advisor in the SAC for details.
In addition to the course requirements that are common to most health professions, optometry schools may also require or recommend some or all of the courses listed below.
The following courses are based on the requirements and recommendations of Nova Southeastern College of Optometry. Consult the optometry schools you are interested in for each school's specific requirements.
For more information about Optometry, please check out the following web sites.
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