Diploma in Optometry is a 2-year Optometric course designed to prepare students as healthcare professionals focusing on human eye care. The course equips students with skills to diagnose and treat eye disorders and provide therapies for improving vision. The course covers a wide range of topics including psychology, optometric retail management and patient management.
The eligibility criteria for enrolling to Diploma in Optometry course is 10+2 schooling from Science stream with subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology and/or Mathematics from recognized boards.
Admission into Diploma in Optometry is both merit based and entrance based. While some colleges have their own entrance exams such as AMU EE, AIIMSRC EE, few colleges also use national-level or state-level exams like NEET or AIIMS.
Optometry professionals are hired as Trainee Optometrist, Customer Care Associate, Optometry Technician, Lens Consultant and many more. The average salary for freshers ranges between INR 3-6 LPA.
- Types of Diploma in Optometry Courses
- Diploma in Optometry Eligibility Criteria
- Diploma in Optometry Entrance Exams
- Diploma in Optometry Admission Procedure
- Preparations Tips for Diploma in Optometry entrance exams
- Diploma in Optometry Syllabus
- Top Colleges and Universities for Diploma in Optometry
- Jobs and Average Salary after Diploma in Optometry
- Course Comparison Diploma in Optometry vs Bachelor’s in Optometry
- Why study Diploma in Optometry?
- FAQs
Types of Diploma in Optometry Courses
- Full-Time Diploma in Optometry: This is a 3-year full-time course where students get experience of handling issues with the human eye and provide care to improve vision.
- Diploma in Optometry (Online): Students can also enroll in online courses for Diploma in Optometry on Udemy or Alison and gain similar knowledge as full-time courses.
Diploma in Optometry Eligibility Criteria
- For taking admission into Diploma in Optometry, candidates need to have basic eligibility criteria and educational qualifications as mentioned below:
- Completed 10+2 schooling or equivalent examination from a recognised board in Science stream with subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology and/or Mathematics.
- A minimum of 45%-50% marks is required in the boards or qualifying exams.
- Candidates have taken English as a subject.
Diploma in Optometry Entrance Exams
To get admission into Diploma in Optometry different entrance exams are conducted at state/national level and university level. Some of the major entrance exams are:
| Entrance Exam | Date of Registration (Tentative) | Exam Date (Tentative) | Registration Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMU EE 2025 | 2 January-31 January, 2025 | 20 April, 2025 | INR 1,000 |
| CUET | 2 February-10 April, 2025 | 15 May-24 May, 2025 | INR 1,000 (UR) INR 9,00 (OBC) INR 8,00 (SC/ST/TG) |
| TJEE | 10 February-24 February, 2025 | 23 April, 2025 | INR 550 (UR Male) INR 450 (SC/ST Male) INR 350 (Female & BPL) |
Diploma in Optometry Admission Procedure
The step wise guidance for enrolling into Diploma in Optometry course are as follows:
- Find and apply in the college or university offering a Diploma in Optometry course.
- Submit the applicable documents such as academic certificates and ID proofs.
- If applicable, take part in the entrance exams conducted by the institution.
- After being selected, confirm the seat by paying the admission or tuition fee and complete the document verification.
- Find out when the new session is expected to begin and start a new academic journey.
Preparations Tips for Diploma in Optometry entrance exams
Key points to excel in entrance exams for enrolling into Diploma in Optometry are:
- Clearly understand the exam format along with the syllabus included in the exam. Download the syllabus details from the exam portal or official website of the college or university chosen during registration.
- Start preparing by taking online mock tests and reading study materials available in the market. Go through previous year question papers to get a clear view of the exam pattern.
- Enroll into an online coaching session for better assistance in preparing for the entrance exam.
Diploma in Optometry Syllabus
The syllabus of Diploma in Optometry varies from college to college with few common core subjects. The syllabus for Diploma in Optometry as per ‘Uttar Pradesh State Medical Faculty’ is given below.
The syllabus according to Parul University is given below:
| First Year | Second Year |
|---|---|
| Anatomy & Physiology | Applied Medicine |
| Environmental Health | Microbiology |
| Clinical Laboratory | Pathology |
| Basic IT | Pharmacology |
| Communication Skill | Clinical Training in Microbiology Lab |
| Medical Laws and Ethics | Clinical Training in Pathology |
| Paper 1: Optic Refraction & Binocular Vision | Clinical Training in Pharmacology |
| Paper 2: Ocular Anatomy Physiology & Biochemistry | Paper 1: Ocular Diseases and Investigations |
| - | Paper 2: Ocular Pharmacology, Pathology and Community Ophthalmology. |
*The syllabus is subject to change from college to college.
Top Colleges and Universities for Diploma in Optometry
Few top colleges and universities offering Diploma in Optometry course are given below:
| College Name | Average Fees |
|---|---|
| Aligarh Muslim University | INR 85,000-90,000 |
| Baba Farid University of Health Sciences | INR 35,000-40,000 |
| Santosh Institute of Allied Health Science | INR 1,12,150 |
| Akash Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre | INR 1,50,000-2,00,000 |
| Bankura Sammilani Medical College | INR 50,000-90,000 |
| Christian Medical College | INR 7,000-8,000 |
| Parul University | INR 1,06,000 |
Jobs and Average Salary after Diploma in Optometry
Some of the openings along with companies hiring Diploma in Optometry professionals are given below:
| Job Role | Recruiter | Average Salary (INR ) |
|---|---|---|
| Tele Optometrist | Lenskart | INR 3-4 LPA |
| Optometrist | Titan Company | INR 2.5-3.25 LPA |
| Area Sales Manager/Optical Manager | MantraCare | INR 5-7 LPA |
| Ophthalmic Technician/Refractionist | Narayan Netralaya | INR 3-4 LPA |
| Optical Technician | MIOT International | INR 4-5 LPA |
Course Comparison Diploma in Optometry vs Bachelor’s in Optometry
The comparison of Diploma in Optometry and Bachelor’s in Optometry has been discussed below:
| - | Diploma in Optometry | Bachelor in Optometry |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 years | 4 years |
| Level | Vocational Program | Undergraduate Degree |
| Area of Focus | Career-oriented course | Academic-oriented course |
| Eligibility Criteria | Merit-based/Entrance Exams | Merit-based/Entrance Exams |
| Entrance exams | CUET, AMU EE, TJEE | AIIMS, NEET, CUET |
| Course Fees | INR 50,000-2,00,000 | INR 2,00,000-4,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 3-6 LPA | INR 5-8 LPA |
| Areas of employment | Optical Manufacturing Units, Optical Stores, Eye Care Centres, Hospitals | Eye Hospitals, Training Institutes, Multinational Vision Care companies, Optical Clinics |
| Job Roles | Consultant, Assistant Optometrist, Customer Care Associate, Trainee Optometrist | Vision Care Associate, Senior Optometrist, Senior Optician |
Why study Diploma in Optometry?
- The course provides enough knowledge to develop a good career in eyecare domains.
- The program provides clinical and diagnostic skills to contribute effectively in the optical or healthcare trade.
- A highly rewarding profession, allowing to make a positive impact in people’s lives by improving their vision.
- Diploma in Optometry provides financial stability, with competitive salary and option to practice ownership at optical retail stores or specialization in other related fields.
FAQs
What is the course duration of a Diploma in Optometry?
Ans. The course duration of Diploma in Optometry is 2 years which is divided into 4 semesters.
What is the eligibility criteria for taking admission into a Diploma in Optometry?
Ans. Candidates must pass 10+2 with 45-50% in Science streams with subjects Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Mathematics.
What is the admission procedure for enrolling into a Diploma in Optometry course?
Ans. For Diploma in Optometry, colleges select students based on their marks in 10+2, however few colleges conduct their own entrance exams.
What is the average fee for admission in a Diploma in Optometry?
The average fees for enrolling into Diploma in Optometry ranges between INR 50,000-2,00,000
Is a Diploma in Optometry a good career option?
Yes, a Diploma in Optometry is a good career option with jobs ranging in various fields of eyecare such as Optometrist, Optical Technician, Eyecare Assistant.
