13 Best Optometry Schools in the World | 2021

As the eye is said to be the body’s window, any occupation that revolves around eye care should be handled with extreme caution. As a result, we have compiled a list of the best optometry schools in the country.

This knowledge will help you make the best decision possible when it comes to optometry.

This article would provide you with accurate knowledge about the optometry profession as well as the best optometry schools in the world, which have been ranked based on admission rates and tuition fees.

Why is Optometry important?

Optometrists are extremely valuable in our existence because the eyes are such an integral part of our lives. Optometrists are taught how to measure a patient’s vision using a variety of tools.

They also learn to detect eye conditions and provide care to improve a person’s overall wellbeing by studying their pupils.

Optometrists are trained to provide eye care to people who have vision problems or develop them as a result of the reduced ability to adjust their eyes to changes in light and distance, a problem that often appears as we age.

What does the optometrist do?

Optometrists examine people’s eyes to assess their vision. They determine whether a person has 20/20 vision, or the ability to see clearly without glasses, or whether they have any degree of myopia, or farsightedness.

In certain states, they may also administer prescriptions in addition to braces, contact lenses, and other visual aids. Minor surgery can be performed by certain optometrists.

They also monitor for signs of weakening due to conditions like elevated blood pressure and diabetes, as well as eye diseases like glaucoma.

Any optometrists specialize in treating people with specific vision disorders, as well as children and the elderly.

How long does it take to study in optometry schools?

It takes seven to nine years to complete your studies to become an optometrist: three to four years of college plus four years of optometry training. An optional one-year clinical internship for specialty is available.

The length of time it takes optometrists to complete their education varies depending on a variety of reasons, but it normally takes between seven and nine years. Imagine graduating with the knowledge that your abilities have been recognized could save patients’ eyesight.

Completing your education to become an optometrist takes seven to nine years: three to four years of college plus four years of optometry school. The one-year clinical residency for specialization is an optional additional year.

How competitive are optometry schools?

Optometry schools are highly competitive; most applicants obtain a bachelor’s degree before submitting the application. Most OD schools take four years to complete. Some students opt for a one-year residency program to obtain advanced training in a specialized area.

The average grade point average for most optometry schools is generally around 3.40 or higher; therefore, some enter with 4.0s while others get 3.0s.

How much do optometrists earn?

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary of an optometrist in May 2019 was $106,040, and most earn between $52,810 and $192,050 per year.

The offices of other health professionals employed the majority of optometrists, and these employers paid the optometrists an average salary of $114,260.

When one moves up the career ladder, junior optometrists can expect to earn at least $83,460 a year, while senior optometrists can earn up to $136,270 per year.

Optometrists with the most success and experience in the United States. They were paid an average of $190,000.

Starting wages for newly trained optometrists in Europe range from £15,000 to £20,000, depending on the employer and region.

With training, you can receive somewhere from £28,000 and £65,000. The success of the firm determines the profits of the company’s executives, associates, and independent practitioners.

What are the best optometry schools in the World?

Following recent studies, here is a list of the world’s best optometry schools; this article contains succinct information about each degree.

• University of California-Berkeley School of Optometry
• Queensland University of Technology, Australia
• Illinois College of Optometry
• Western University of Health Sciences Pomona, CA
• Faculty of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand
• Canberra University, Australia
• School of Optometry Université de Montréa, Canada
• University of Alabama at Birmingham
• College of Optometry of Southern California
• Kentucky College of Optometry
• University of Manchester, UK
• Cardiff University, UK
• Faculty of Optometry and Vision Sciences University of Waterloo, Canada

#1. The University of California, Berkeley

The School of Optometry at the University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley Optometry) is one of the best optometry schools in the world, especially in the United States. The University of California, Berkeley’s optometry program launched in 1923, making it the third university optometry program in the United States (and the second oldest active university optometry program).

Berkeley Optometry offers a four-year professional graduate program that leads to the title of Doctor of Optometry (OD).

A one-year ACOE-accredited residency program in clinical optometry specialties is also available at the hospital (primary care, eye diseases, contact lenses, low vision, binocular vision, and pediatrics).

Berkeley Optometry is also the home school of the University of California, Berkeley’s Multidisciplinary Group of Vision Sciences, where doctoral students receive MS or Ph.D. degrees.

The Berkeley Optometry program is planned to offer clinical optometry teaching as well as eye science education. Students are prepared to be the primary providers of eye and vision care, which provides extensive eye tests as well as the diagnosis, treatment, and control of the majority of eye disorders and diseases.

Berkeley optometry applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and complete undergraduate general science courses (biology; general, organic and biochemistry; mathematics, statistics, physics, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, immunology, and psychology).

The University of California-Berkeley offers 2-degree programs in Optometry. It is a large public university in a medium-sized city. In 2015, 78 students graduated in the Optometry study area with students who obtained 61 Doctorates and 17 Certificates.

Acceptance Rate: 15%

Tuition Fee: $37,231 (resident), $48,778 (non-resident)

#2. Queensland University of Technology, Australia

Founded in 1909, this university is among the best and oldest in Australia. With six faculties, the university is known in Australia and around the world as major research institutions pioneering a vaccine to help prevent cervical cancer, a highly advanced portable MRI scanner.

The outstanding university is also known for producing Nobel prizes and Grammy winners, among others. This institution is recognized for its main contributions to nanotechnology, brain, and molecular bioscience research.

Acceptance Rate: 16%

Tuition Fee: AUD $30, 100

#3. Illinois College of Optometry

The Illinois College of Optometry (ICO) is a private optometry school in Chicago, Illinois, that is regarded as one of the best in the world. It is the largest optometry university in the United States and the longest continually running educational institution devoted solely to the training of optometrists, graduating approximately 160 optometrists each year.

The university complex incorporates more than 366,000 square feet (34,000 m2) including an on-site eye care clinic, an electronically enhanced conference center, library, computerized clinical learning equipment, cafeteria, gym, and living facilities.

The Illinois Eye Institute (IEI) is the main clinical training center for ICO students and is located next to the university. In addition to primary eye care, there is subspecialized care that includes glaucoma, retina-vitreous, neuro-ophthalmic disorders, external cornea disease, orbital oculoplastic, pediatrics / strabismus-amblyopia and low vision rehabilitation.

Acceptance Rate: 20%

Tuition Fee: $43,265

#4. Western University of Health Sciences Pomona, CA

Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) is a private graduate school of the United States for health professions and among the best optometry colleges, with the main campus located in downtown Pomona, California, and additional medical school campus in 50 acres in Lebanon, Oregon.

The College of Optometry will draw on a strong basis by developing its own distinct personality, describing a core approach to its instructional, therapeutic, and research activities, and gaining a prestigious reputation.

The School of Optometry’s vision encompasses four major viewpoints and represents four distinct stakeholders: the general population, the practice, teachers, and faculty.

WesternU is one of the largest graduate schools for health professions in California, offering 21 academic programs at nine universities.

Under the banner of WesternU Health, the university operates a variety of patient care centers in California and Oregon. The Pomona and Portland (Oregon) campuses include a medical center, a dental center, an eye care institute, a pharmacy, and a travel health center, all of which are open to the public.

Western University of Health Sciences offers a 1-degree program in Optometry. It is a private university in a large suburb. In 2015, 73 students graduated in the area of ​​Optometry study with students who obtained 73 doctorates.

Acceptance Rate: 30%

Tuition Fee: $38,510

#5. Faculty of Optometry and Vision Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand

Optometry in Auckland began in 1965 within the Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Science. It is now part of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences.

It is the only Optometry school in New Zealand and one of the six schools in the region with accreditation from the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand.

Accreditation allows graduates to practice optometry in New Zealand and Australia without the need for additional exams.

The school also has a strong commitment to research and offers studies to obtain postgraduate qualifications, including a postgraduate diploma, two master’s degrees and a Doctor of Philosophy.

The school is at the forefront of research in the fields of optometry and vision sciences.

Acceptance Rate: 32%

Tuition fee: NZ $55,150 Bachelor’s degree

#7. School of Optometry Université de Montréa, Canada

The University of Montreal translates as the University of Montreal is a public research university in French in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university’s main campus is located on the north slope of Mount Royal in the Outremont and Côte-des-Neiges neighborhoods.

The mission of the School of Optometry at the University of Montreal is threefold: teaching, study, and dissemination. As a health practitioner who serves in the frontline of health care, the school must help ensure that the optometrist has the best degree of experience and expertise to intervene with the public, in compliance with North American practice guidelines.

Acceptance Rate: 50%

Tuition Fee: $8,407

#8. University of Alabama at Birmingham

UAB School of Optometry is one of the best optometry colleges in the US, students are prepared to be the nation’s leaders in providing comprehensive evidence-based vision care and discovering new principles of vision science.

UAB optometry students offer numerous assessments and comprehensive eye exams in the clinic and throughout Alabama through community outreach. Students, teachers, and residents collectively examine almost 25,000 patients per year.

Acceptance Rate: 58%

Tuition Fee: $17,140

#9. College of Optometry of Southern California

Marshall B. Ketchum University is a private university focused on graduate programs in medical care and located in Fullerton, California. MBKU expanded from the Southern California College of Optometry that was founded in 1904.

Southern California College of Optometry is one of the oldest optometry schools in the US and one of the Best optometry schools in the World. The Southern California College of Optometry is a 4-year graduate program that leads to the title of Doctor of Optometry (OD), accredited by the Accreditation Council in Optometric Education (ACOE) of the American Optometric Association.

During the first year, students spend most of their time in conferences and laboratories learning basic sciences (including optics, biomedical sciences, and visual sciences) and introductory clinical procedures.

Throughout the year, freshmen will have hours of observation in the clinic as an introduction to patient care. During the second year, students will have more advanced lectures in visual sciences and will spend time learning and perfecting clinical procedures.

Slowly, students will be provided to see patients at Ketchum Health to prepare them for the third and fourth-year clinics.

Third-year students spend half of their time in class and the other half in hospital care under the supervision of clinical faculty. The topics of the conferences are more advanced, including courses in contact lenses, visual therapy, eye diseases, ocular pharmacology, clinical optometry, and public health.

The last year (fourth year) consists of four 3-month rotations as part of the Clinical Outreach Program. A clinical rotation is performed in specialized services in Ketchum Health and the other three rotations are found in several external clinics. Students can choose from more than 80 clinics in the US and abroad.

The Doctor of Optometry degree will be awarded to students who successfully complete the four-year academic and professional curriculum in optometry.

Upon successful completion of the SCCO program and NBEO exams, graduates can apply for a license in the United States or Canada

The clinical and teaching facility of the university is known as Ketchum Health. The center provides patient care for optometry at the University Eye Center in Anaheim and Los Angeles. It also provides patient care and internal medicine in family medicine in Anaheim.

Marshall B Ketchum University offers a 1-degree program in Optometry. It is a private university in a large suburb. In 2015, 96 students graduated in the area of ​​Optometry study with students who obtained 96 Doctorates.

Acceptance Rate: 60%

Tuition Fee: $42,885

#10. Kentucky College of Optometry

Located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, the Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO) is the only optometry college in Kentucky and among the best optometry colleges in the world.

They are part of a community of medical professionals in Kentucky who provide eye care to those who need it most and learn in an environment created with the future of optometry in mind.

KYCO students have many rewarding clinical opportunities to care for patients who need it.

Acceptance Rate: 67%

Tuition Fee: $42,200

#11. University of Manchester, UK

The University of Manchester is a public research university in Manchester, England, formed in 2004 by the merger of the Institute of Science and Technology of the University of Manchester and the Victoria University of Manchester.

The optometry course at the University of Manchester provides the clinical skills and knowledge of the ophthalmic devices necessary for a successful career as an optometrist.

Acceptance rate: 70.1%

Tuition fee: £9,250

#12. Cardiff University, UK

Cardiff University School of Optometry and Vision Sciences is a public research university in Cardiff, Wales. Founded in 1883 as the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire, it became a founding college of the University of Wales in 1893, and in 1997 it received its own powers to grant degrees.

This school provides students with scientific and clinical knowledge to graduate as a pre-enrollment optometrist and final training under the supervision of a practicing optometrist.

The School of Optometry and Vision Sciences has been independently evaluated as ‘Excellent’ and has been awarded the highest category of research excellence because its excellent facilities include new and renovated clinics and laboratories, all equipped with equipment the Last generation.

Graduates in optometry from Cardiff University are significantly ahead of the national average to obtain their professional qualifications.

Acceptance rate: 74%

Tuition fee: £9,000

#13. Faculty of Optometry and Vision Sciences University of Waterloo, Canada

The School of Optometry and Vision Sciences is one of the professional schools of the University of Waterloo. It is a school within the university’s Faculty of Science and is the larger of the two optometry schools in Canada.

The school is the only English-speaking optometry school in the country and among the best optometry schools; The Francophone program of the University of Montreal operates in Quebec.

The Optometry building is equipped with research laboratories supported by metal, wood, electronic and optical workshops, a library center for vision sciences, histology and living facilities for living animals. Researchers also have controlled access to data and clinic issues.

Acceptance Rate: 75%

Tuition fee: $18,000

How many Optometry Schools in the US?

There are quite a number of optometry schools in US that have not only being accredited but recognized among the best optometry schools in the world. These schools are well equipped with the latest, cutting edge technology for learning, diagnosis, and treatment of eye defects, as well as a health Centre or teaching hospitals for student practice.

Here are some of the optometry schools in US; the University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry tops the chart as the best optometry school in the US with a strict acceptance rate of only 15%, showing its high level of competitiveness.

Following it, is the Illinois College of Optometry in Chicago, and the Western University of Health Sciences which also stands among the best optometry colleges in US.

What is the job prospect for optometrists?

The employment of optometrists is projected to grow 10 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average of all occupations. Because vision problems tend to occur more frequently later in life, the aging of the population will generate a demand for optometrists.

How much does it cost to study optometry?

Tuition and optometry school fees at private universities cost $15,000- $29,100 per year or $60,000- $116,400 for the four-year program for residents and $20,000- $29,100 per year or $80,000- $116,400 for a title for non-residents.

Best Optometry Schools | FAQs

Conclusion

In conclusion, studying to become an optometrist is a challenge you can take if you are in the right school and have access to the right learning team that helps you be more practical during learning.

References

• https://www.ihireoptometry.com/careeradvice/pages/optometrist-education-guide-top-10-optometry-schools
• https://optometriceducation.org/students-future-students/member-schools-and-colleges/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_optometry_schools