Academic Overview
Program Overview
Optometrists are primary health care practitioners of the eye and visual system. They provide comprehensive eye and vision care: refraction and dispensing, detection and co-management of eye disease, and the rehabilitation of visual conditions. Optometry is an autonomous profession concerned with examining the eye for defects of refraction, prescribing spectacles and contact lenses, and managing vision disorders.
The need is enormous. The handbook estimates that 456 million people in India need vision correction, 26 million are blind or vision impaired due to eye disease, and a further 133 million, including 11 million children, are visually impaired simply because they have not had an eye test or the right pair of glasses. About 85% of all vision impairment could be avoided, prevented or cured if trained people and care facilities existed.
Following the WHO and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) goal of ending avoidable blindness, optometrists are central to delivering integrated, people-centred eye care and tackling uncorrected refractive error.
Core Strengths
Program Highlights
One full year of internship: Two internship semesters of 1,200 hours each (2,400 hours in total) at the end of the course, with a stipend.
Clinical Optometry every semester: A clinical course runs from the first semester through the eighth, so you build hands-on skill year after year.
Eight-semester academic core: From anatomy, physiology and optics to contact lenses, binocular vision, ocular disease and therapeutics.
Licensure pathway: A third-party exit or licensure examination at the end of the internship is needed to practise in India.
Lateral entry: Diploma holders in optometry, vision technician or ophthalmic assistant programs can join the 2nd year.
Room to specialise: Continue to a 2-year M.Optom (60% in B.Optom needed), then a PhD.
Admission Requirements
Eligibility Criteria
| Qualification |
Candidate must have passed Senior Secondary (10+2) or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry & Biology/Mathematics with 50%. |
| Admission |
Admission shall be on the basis of Senior Secondary (10+2) Merit. |
| Minimum age |
17 years on 31 December of the admission year |
| Documents |
Physical fitness certificate from a registered medical practitioner |
| Studied abroad |
Equivalence decided by the Association of Indian Universities |
| Medium of instruction |
English |
Curriculum Matrix
Key Features of the Program
What you will learn
Foundations: general anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology and pathology
Physical, geometrical and visual optics, and optometric optics and instruments
Ocular disease, ocular pharmacology and therapeutics of the anterior and posterior segments
Contact lens practice and dispensing optics
Binocular vision, paediatric optometry and geriatric optometry
Systemic disease, community eye health and occupational optometry
Innovation, technology and data science for healthcare
Practice management and two research projects
How it is delivered
| Component |
Details |
| Duration |
5 years (4 + 1), 10 semesters |
| Total hours |
6,000 hours across didactics, practical and internship |
| Internship |
Two semesters of 1,200 hours each (2,400 hours), |
| Semesters |
Odd: June/July to November/December. Even: November/December to April/May |
| Faculty ratio |
1:15 for undergraduates |
Assessment: Based on theory and clinical performance throughout the program, with all assessment forms and feedback evaluated.
Leadership: The head of the institute or department must be an optometrist.
Career & Growth
Placement Opportunities
Graduates can expect to be employed in hospitals and private practice as optometrists. The handbook describes these job areas:
Corporate sector: professional service roles with lens, contact lens, pharmaceutical and surgical instrument companies, rising to regional heads
Private practice: open your own optometry clinic, with or without an optical store
Optical chains and optical stores
Eye care hospitals and institutions: prescribing glasses and contact lenses, low vision care, vision therapy, diagnostic services, co-management, clinical training and administration
Education: faculty and heads of optometry schools and colleges
Research: optics, contact lenses, binocular vision, glaucoma, retinal diagnostics, public health and low vision, including translational research
Graduates are also eligible for employment overseas, and with experience may be employed by equipment manufacturers and development specialists.
Employment Sectors
Top Recruiting Sectors
Eye care hospitals and institutions
Clinical optometry, diagnostics, low vision and vision therapy
Corporate and manufacturing
Lens manufacturers, contact lens companies, pharmaceutical and surgical instrument companies
Optical chains and stores
Refraction, dispensing and eye care in retail settings
Private practice
Independent optometry clinics, with or without an optical store
Public health
Primary and secondary health centres, epidemiological studies and NGO eye care programs
Industry
Pre-employment vision screening, periodic eye check-ups and eye safety policy
Education sector
Faculty and leadership roles in optometry schools and colleges
Scientific research
Vision science, basic research and translational research
Institutional Advantages
Why Choose Chirayu
01
A national curriculum:Aligned with the NCAHP Curriculum of Optometry.
02
A year of real clinical work:2,400 hours of internship with a stipend.
03
Clinical skill from semester one:A Clinical Optometry course runs through every academic semester.
04
A profession with huge need:Hundreds of millions of people in India need vision correction.
05
Many ways to build a career:Hospitals, optical chains, industry, public health, your own clinic, research and teaching.
06
Practical Training & Clinical Exposure:4 In-House Hospitals equipped with Advanced Clinical Facilities for Hands-On Practical Training & Clinical Exposure
07
Learning:Well-Equipped Laboratories for Practical Learning
08
Faculty:Experienced & Qualified Faculty
09
Infrastructure:State-of-the-Art Infrastructure and facilities for a great Learning experience
10
Room to grow:Move on to an M.Optom, a PhD, senior clinical roles or academia.
Source: Curriculum of Optometry, National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Fees, seats, intake dates and recognition are as notified by Chirayu University.