COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & HEALTH
COLLEGE OF SCIENCE & HEALTH
An optometrist is an eye doctor who has earned the Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree.
Optometrists examine eyes for both vision and health problems, and correct refractive errors by prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses. Some optometrists also provide low vision care and vision therapy. Optometrists in the United States also are licensed to prescribe medications to treat certain eye problems and diseases. Optometrists also may participate in your pre- and post-operative care if you have eye surgery performed by an ophthalmologist.
While optometry schools do not typically require a specific major, many students find our BS in Health Science or BS in Biology to match well with the pre-requisite courses needed to gain entry. Other majors work as well, and we recommend your finding one that suits your personal interests.
An optometrist generally must complete a four-year college degree program with specific pre-requisite courses, plus four years of post-graduate professional training in optometry school. Admission to schools of optometry is competitive. Admissions teams look for candidates who demonstrate an understanding of the profession and community engagement.
I can sum up my experience at Benedictine in one word, ‘challenging.’ Let’s face it, organic chemistry is not going to be easy no matter where you take it or who you take it with. But the fact that the science professors had an open door policy made it very doable, even enjoyable. As a serious science student, if you took the time and put the effort into your coursework, your professors were willing to put the time into you. They knew who you were — something that is simply not possible in lecture halls filled with several hundred students.
NINA GOYAL, M.D.
B.S.’98, BIOLOGY
Eye Physician and Surgeon Partner at University Ophthalmology Associates and Assistant Professor at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago