Optometry at John Carroll University

Optometrists are healthcare professionals who perform comprehensive examinations of both the internal and external structures of the eye, subjective and objective tests to evaluate patients’ vision, analyze the test findings, diagnose problems,  and determine the appropriate treatment. Optometrists provide general eye and vision care and often work with other health professionals in co-managing the care of patients. Individual state laws govern the extent of the work of optometry and recent trends indicate an increase in the scope of the profession.

There is a current shortage of optometrists because of increased demand for vision care services and the need to fill vacancies created through retirement. There are recognized specialities in optometry and a variety of work settings with the majority of optometrists being self-employed.

There are 16 schools of optometry in the continental U.S., including one in Ohio (Ohio State University), one in Pennsylvania, one in Illinois, one in Michigan, one in Indiana and one in New York.  Some of the schools will accept students with three years of college, but all schools prefer applicants with bachelors degrees. While there is no preference for the undergraduate major, clear demonstration of competency must be demonstrated in the biological and physical sciences. The optometry educational program is four years in length.

Specific prerequisite courses at the undergraduate level vary by school but often include the following:

– one - two semesters of calculus

– two semesters of Biology (for majors) with labs

– two semesters of General Chemistry (for majors) with labs

– one - two semesters of Organic Chemistry with labs

– two semesters of physics with labs

– Biology courses: microbiology, anatomy, physiology

– one semester of biochemistry with lab, required by 3 & recommended by 7 schools

– one semester of statistics

– one - two semesters of psychology

All schools require applicants to take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) which is administered twice a year, usually in February and October. The test covers 6 subject areas: quantitative reasoning, reading comprehension, physics, biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry. Like most of the other major health professions, applicants apply at the end of their junior year/summer before their senior year for admission following graduation from their undergraduate program.

For more inforamtion follow the like to Optometry.

For further information or questions contact , Dr. Gwendolyn Kinebrew, Chair  of Pre-Health Professions Studies, 216-397-1971 (e-mail: gkinebrew@jcu.edu), or Miss Nichole Carter, Department Assistant, Pre-Health Professions Studies, 216-397-4249 (e-mail: ncarter@jcu.edu).