How Much School to Be an Eye Doctor?
Eye doctors, sometimes referred to as optometrists or doctors of optometry, are highly educated and skilled members of the health care community who care for their patients' eyes. They may conduct examinations of the eyes to determine visual acuity, depth perception and color perception. They may prescribe corrective lenses or advise other medical treatments. Optometrists check for diseases and other conditions of the eye. Eye doctors undergo rigorous postgraduate studies prior to being licensed to practice.
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Misconceptions
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Optometrists are eye doctors. They should not be confused with opticians, who are technicians that are trained to dispense eyeglasses and fit contact lenses. Optometrists should also not be confused with ophthalmologists; ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eye surgery but may also treat injuries and diseases of the eyes.
Undergraduate
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Most schools of optometry require students to graduate from an accredited college or university, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. Prerequisite undergraduate work typically includes a major in one of the sciences and additional studies in mathematics, English, communications, physics and the humanities. The BLS notes that each school of optometry in the U.S. has individual requirements for acceptance and advises candidates to contact their desired school's admissions department for specifics.
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Graduate School
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There were 20 schools of optometry in the United States and Puerto Rico accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association as of 2009, according to the BLS. Programs at these schools typically require four years for completion. Coursework involves classroom, laboratory and clinical training. Subject matter includes studies in visual sciences, pharmacology, chemistry, diseases and conditions of the eye, systemic diseases, optics and methods of diagnosis.
Testing
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Admission into a school of optometry is highly competitive, with one in three applicants receiving acceptance as of 2007, according to the BLS. Candidates for admission are required to complete the Optometry Admissions Test, which measures the student's proficiency in the natural sciences, reading comprehension, reasoning and physics. Candidates are permitted to take the test more than once in order to improve their scores.
Licensure
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All 50 states and the District of Columbia require individuals wishing to practice as an optometrist to be licensed, according to the BLS. Candidates for licensure must hold a Doctor of Optometry degree. All states require candidates to take and pass the National Board examination and some state also require a state clinical examination. Continuing education is required in order to renew the license.
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