Optometrists have the privilege of directly impacting people’s lives by addressing their vision needs. Through comprehensive eye exams, optometrists are often the first to identify systemic health conditions through eye examinations, contributing to a holistic healthcare approach. Early detection of conditions such as diabetes or hypertension is crucial for overall patient well-being. Whether working in private practice, group settings, or healthcare institutions, optometrists have the autonomy to shape their practice and adapt to diverse professional environments.

There is not a set of competencies that all optometry schools expect of incoming optometry students. However, the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) has noted several skills that are important for optometrists. Therefore, it is important to begin to develop these skills as you prepare to attend optometry school. These include the following:

• Observation abilities
• Communication abilities
• Sensory and motor coordination abilities
• Intellectual-conceptual, integrative, and quantitative abilities
• Behavior and social attributes

Requirements will vary based on the school, but general requirements include:

• Two semesters of Biology with lab
• Two semesters of general chemistry with lab
• Two semesters of general physics with lab
• 1-2 semesters of English
• 1-2 semesters of Math

Many schools also require anatomy, biochemistry, organic chemistry, psychology, physiology, and statistics.

The most common exam for optometry school is the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) administered year-round by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO). The OAT is a four-part multiple-choice exam that includes the following sections: Survey of the Natural Sciences (Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry), Reading Comprehension, Physics, and Quantitative Reasoning. Some schools also accept the GRE.

OAT website

Many schools strongly recommend or require shadowing with a licensed optometrist. Optometry schools encourage candidates to demonstrate a commitment to leadership, community service, teamwork, cultural competence, and/or research.

After taking the OAT, you should obtain letters of recommendation from professors or other individuals who can speak to your academic abilities and character. You will then apply through the Optometry Centralized Application Service (OptomCAS), which opens in late June. The OptomCAS application includes a personal statement, recommendations, and your transcript. Ideally, your application should be ready to submit before August 1 of the year prior to matriculation.