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Requirements To Become An Optometrist

By Sherry Gross


Optometry is a profession in healthcare, which focuses the health of the eyes, such as the visual system, vision and the vision processing in humans. An optometrist Hoboken is also known as ophthalmic optician is trained to recommend lenses to improve the vision, diagnose and treat several eye diseases. Doctors of optometry are also authorized to perform laser surgeries in some states. For some countries, patients are usually referred to an ophthalmologist, neurologist or general medical practitioners for a continuing investigation or treatment.

Once you have the passion to become one of these professionals, then it is better to know about the probable ways and the requirements in this profession. Most often, this profession requires you certain skills and knowledge to treat patients with eye problems. Here are some ways you need to follow.

You have to first complete your high school program. In high school, you have to concentrate the level of skills you have and the type of interest you want. Sometimes, you will be interested in some areas in science like biology, chemistry and physiology. If you performed well in these courses, then you already identified if you want this career or not.

Generally, optometry schools require each student to have a coursework in biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics and English. You should discuss it with the counselor on the programs or courses you need to enroll and the requirements for the programs you will going to apply.

Some programs do not require you to finish college before enrolling, but you need to complete the three years of your four year course before the institution admits you. You must complete your degree in bachelors before you obtain the degree in optometry. This way, you will be prepared enough for the difficult programs that you may encounter in the future.

You must take the admission test or the OAT. This is a required test when you apply to any accredited schools and if you perform well, you will possibly be accepted. You must read the OAT guide for all the information about the eligibility requirements, testing procedures, test regulations, rules of conduct and then enroll the exam. You can also consider to enroll in an OAT preparatory program to improve your general performance.

You must complete a doctor of optometry course. This will take four years before the completion and must be done in an accredited school. The cost for the course depends on the school you have chosen. You should also consider in completing a postgraduate residency program.

These residency programs allow most of the optometrists to obtain practice working in their field. This is under the guidance of the professionals and to develop more their skills. Residency programs are a noble practice and helpful, especially there are individuals in the overall population who ware underprivileged.

The states are also requiring each practitioner to obtain a license. You have to complete first your course in Doctor of optometry before getting the license. You have to take various exams in written and orally. You also need to take some additional exams if required by the state. For a license renewal, you must check the requirements in the state. This is necessary to keep your license current and active.




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