What are the possible career options after optometry in India?

Science of treatment, diagnosis, examination, management of eye diseases, and visual disorders are known as optometry. B. Optometry focuses on the study of properties and composition of lenses, spectacles, eye equipment for improving the vision and become competent professionals to join the health-care team as an optometrist, optician, and ophthalmic assistant. They also incorporate artificial intelligence and deep learning to improve patient experience. 

Here is a list of possible career options after optometry in India: 

Optometrists: Optometrists are responsible for providing outpatient care to patients with related conditions and disorders by conducting routine eye examinations, including visual field tests to determine their field of vision, visual acuity, and hand-eye coordination. They check medical histories for all patients to evaluate their eye-related symptoms including redness, discharge, redness, inflammation, and prescribe corrective lenses when required. When there is a requirement for more specialized and holistic eye care, then patients are referred to a group of board-certified ophthalmologists for more holistic eye care to identify eye health safety factors that could impact vision. They educate patients on proper routine, eye care, and eye hygiene if they are working around chemicals or in front of a computer.

Optical technicians: Optical technicians work in clean and well-maintained laboratories to polish, cut, and grind lenses for creating the prescribed glasses or contact lenses. Optical technicians are well equipped with safety equipment including gloves, masks, and goggles. The tools used in this position can be dangerous, so workplace safety is a priority. They also create lenses for products like microscopes, binoculars, telescopes, and many other instruments.

Optical research specialist: The role of a research specialist is to plan, strategize organize, execute, and coordinate various research projects. The projects may involve the development of new lenses, surgical equipment, instrument, testing, quality control, and mass production.

Ophthalmologists: The experts in this profession perform corrective surgeries including cornea dysfunction, repairing injuries, and removing cataracts. Ophthalmologists provide routine care such as prescribing glasses, contact lenses, vision testing, diagnosing, and treating eye diseases and injuries. They perform advanced surgical procedures like a keyhole, laser, and other advanced surgeries. They also manage outpatient clinics, emergency eye clinics, and other specialist eye clinics. Nowadays, ophthalmologists are treating medical disorders that affect the vision through a very advanced and innovative holistic approach using therapeutic procedures and performing biopsies.

Professor: A career as a professor is also an interesting option for many optometry graduates. Students can opt for a Master’s or Ph.D. to increase their knowledge and eventually take part in research papers, lead research groups and start their career as a lecturer or professor at universities (private or government). 

Optician: Opticians work in collaboration with ophthalmologists by obtaining patient prescriptions and take customer’s information and measurements of the ocular area to recommend frames or contact lenses that suit their face, style, and specifications. They design, adjust, and fit frames according to the prescriptions and prepare work orders for the optical technicians to manufacture the lenses. They use specialized equipment like lensometers, calipers, lens gauges, and keep the inventory on frames and contact lenses to ensure product variety and customer satisfaction. Opticians also repair broken frames and educate the customers on wearing and maintaining glasses and contact lenses. 

An undergraduate degree in B. Optometry will give students an in-depth knowledge, practical exposure to challenge their critical-thinking skills and prepare them for a professional career ahead. Therefore, B. Optometry is the perfect choice for students who have a passion for community and want to delve deeper into this field of optometry. With a degree in optometry, you can associate with hospitals, eye clinics, lens manufacturers, private practice, and even branded optical showrooms and explore careers in B. optometry.