List of optometry schools

The following list of optometry schools covers many countries, although the list is not exhaustive. Internationally, optometry as a profession includes different levels of education. The institutions listed below provide academic and professional education and clinical training that ranges from Doctor of Optometry degree level to other professional degrees in optometry and also non-degree level education leading to a diploma or other qualifications in optometry.

In many countries the role of optometry is statutorily defined, practice is regulated and there is uniformity in professional education and clinical training and the scope of practice is consistent with the definition of optometry as a profession. In such countries the nomenclature of terminal qualification may be reviewed as and when necessary. In Australia, for example, Doctor of Optometry (OD) is now established at University of Melbourne (first intake 2011) and OD is described as "an internationally recognised qualification and the gold standard for optometry education."

This is a list of optometry schools sorted alphabetically by country.

Australia

• University of Melbourne [7] OD
• University of New South Wales [8] BOptom/BSc(Vision Science)
• Queensland University of Technology [9] BAppSc(Optom) - Replaced with Bachelor of Vision Science / Master of Optometry from February 2009. .
• Flinders University Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science), Master of Optometry
• Deakin University Bachelor of Vision Science, Master of Optometry.

Brazil

• Universidade do Contestado, as a partner of Fundación Universitaria San Martín, of Bogotá, Colombia.

Bulgaria

• Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski,.

Canada

• University of Waterloo School of Optometry, Ontario [10]
• Université de Montréal, Québec [11]

Defunct

• Ontario College of Optometry, Toronto

Colombia

• Universidad de La Salle, Bogotá [12], Master in Vision Science
• Universidad Santo Tomás, Bucaramanga [13]
• Universidad Metropolitana, Barranquilla [14]
• Fundación Universitaria del Area Andina, Pereira [15] & Bogotá [16]
• Fundación Universitaria San Martín, Bogotá [17]
• Universidad Antonio Nariño, Bogotá [18]
• Universidad del Bosque, Bogotá [19]

For more details

Czech Republic

• Masaryk University in Brno [20]
• Palacký University in Olomouc [21]
• Czech Technical University in Prague [22]

El Salvador

• Universidad de El Salvador in San Salvador [23], Licenciado en Optometría

France

• Institut des Sciences de la Vision in St Etienne France
• Institut supérieur d'optique in Paris France ISO
• Université Paris-Sud in Orsay, France

Ghana

• University of Cape Coast [24], Doctor of Optometry
• Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology [25], Doctor of Optometry

Hong Kong

• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University [26]

India

The following list includes educational institutions offering four year degree courses, two or three year diploma courses and also non-degree courses. Post-graduate education in optometry is also offered in India leading to M.Optom, M.Phil., M.Sc. and Ph.D. by several universities.

1. A.I.I.M.S.
2. Susruta School of Optometry & Visual Sciences, Cochin, Kerala
3. Nagar school of Optometry, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad

 NSHM Knowledge Campus,Kolkata 

1. Amity University Gurgaon, Haryana
2. Bareilly Institute of ParaMedical Sciences & S.S. Hospital, Bareilly, Uttar pradesh.
3. Bausch & Lomb School of Optometry, Hyderabad
4. Elite School of Optometry, Chennai
5. FAHS(Faculties of Allied Health Sciences Pondicherry),Vinayaka Missions University TN
6. Bharatimaiya College of Optometry, Surat.
7. Bharathiar University, Coimbatore,
8. Bharati Vidyapeeth University,Medical College,School of Optometry,Pune,Maharashtra.
9. Dr. DY Patil Institute of Optometry & Visual Science ( Deemed ) University Maharashtra
10. Dr.N.T.R University Of Health Sciences Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
11. Alsalama Optometry college, Perinthalmanna
12. Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Govt:Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
13. Himalayan University,Arunachal Pradesh
14. IGNOU, (Central University) Delhi
15. ITM Institute of Health Science, (Deemed) University, Mumbai
16. J.R.N. Rajasthan vidyapeeth (Deemed) university.
17. Jadhavpur University, Kolkata, W. Bangal
18. Jamia Hamdard (Deemed) University, Delhi
19. Webvez Institute, Mahoba
20. Kalyani University, Kolkata, W. Bangal
21. Lotus college of Optometry
22. Madurai kamraj University
23. Manipal university, Manipal, Karnataka
24. Martin Luther King University, Shillog, Meghalaya
25. Municipal Eye Hospital, School of Optometry, Mumbai
26. NIMS University, Rajasthan
27. Rabindra Bharti University, Kolkata,W. Bangal
28. RGUHS, Karnataka
29. Sankara College of Optometry, Bangalore
30. Sri Ramchandra University, Porur, Tamil Nadu
31. Sri NFL Educational Institute of Optometry, Vellore, Tamil Nadu
32. Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Science, Assam.
33. SRM University, Chennai,Tamil Nadu
34. Shri Rajaram Memorial Eye Hospital, Optometry research & Training Institute, BANDA
35. The Global Open University Kohima, Nagaland
36. The Tamil Nadu Dr.M.G.R Medical University Chennai,Tamil Nadu
37. Tripura University, Agartala,Tripura
38. University of Hyderabad
39. University of Mumbai, Maharashtra
40. Uttrakhand University, UttrakhandUttrakhand

1. Vasan Institute of Ophthalmology and Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
2. Veer Narmad South Gujrat University,Surat,Gujrat
3. Vidyasagar College of Optometry and Vision Science, Kolkat
4. West Bengal University of technology, Kolkata
5. Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) Maharashtra
6. Netrajyothi college of Health Science (Optometry), Bangalore
7. Dr.Anand College of Optometry and Vision Science, Salem

Lotus college of Optometry Juhu Mumbai Laxmi college of Optometry Mumbai Lotus Bausch&Lomb School of Optometry, Coimbatore, Cochin, Salem

# Shri Ganpati Netralaya college of optometry,Jalna.

1. All India Institute of Optical Science And Refraction Hospital Trust.Rajdanga,Nabapalli,Near Ruby Hospital,Kolkata. West Bengal.

Iran

• Iran University of Medical Sciences [www.iums.ac.ir] Tehran
• Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Tehran
• Mashhad University of Medical Sciences [27] Mashhad
• Zahedan University of Medical Sciences [28] zahedan.

Ireland

• Dublin Institute of Technology Dublin, (BSc in Optometry)

Israel

• Bar-Ilan University
• Hadassah College

Italy

Currently there are seven state universities (in Milano, Padova, Lecce, Roma, Firenze, Napoli, and Torino) offering three-year university degrees in optics and optometry (Ottica e Optometria), formally a kind of a physics degree.

• University of Milan, Italy
• University of Padua, Italy

Latvia

• University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia, offering both bachelor's and master's degrees

Lebanon

• Lebanese University, Faculty of Public Health www.fsp1.ul.edu.lb
• Institut Technique Industriel www.itis-lebanon.org
• American University of Science and Technology www.aust.edu.lb

Malaysia

• Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia [29]
• International University College of Technology Twintech [30]
• Universiti Teknologi MARA [31]
• International Islamic University Malaysia [32]
• SEGi University College [33]
• Management & Science University [34]
• National Institute of Ophthalmic Sciences [35]

Mexico

• Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
• National Polytechnic Institute, Unidad Santo Tomas [36]
• National Polytechnic Institute, Unidad Milpa Alta
• Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes Mestría en Ciencias Biomédicas Area de >Optometria
• Universidad Xochicalco, Campus Ensenada
• Universidad Xochicalco, Campus Tijuana
• Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez

Nepal

• Tribhuwan University at the B.P. Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies, Maharajgunj Medical Campus. Four-year bachelor's degree program only, with no post-graduate programs available.

The Netherlands

• University of Applied Sciences Utrecht.

New Zealand

• New Zealand National Eye Centre, Department of Optometry and Vision Science, (BOptom)
• University of Auckland [37]

Nigeria

There are five schools offering the O.D. (Doctor of Optometry) degree.

• Federal University of Technology Owerri
• Imo State University
• Abia State University Uturu, Abia State, which also offers M.Sc and Ph. D programmes in Clinical Optometry.
• University of Benin, Ugbowo, Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria.
• Madonna University Okija, Anambra State.

Norway

• Buskerud University College

Pakistan

• Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences, FHAS, ICBS, Lahore.
• Pef university college, peshawar
• Rawalpindi medical college, Rawalpindi
• college of ophthalmology and allied vision science, KEMU, Lahore
• Rashid Latif Medical College
• University of Faisalabad
• Isra School of Optometry, Isra University, Karachi
• Isra university, Islamabad
• Pakistan Institute of Community Ophthalmology, Peshawar
• Pakistan Institute of Ophthalmology, Al-Shifa trust eye hospital, Rawalpindi
• Pakistan institute of Rehabilitation science PIRS Islamabad
• Munawar Memorial Hospital & college of optometry Chakwal

Philippines

• Cebu Doctors' University
• Centro Escolar University
• Davao Doctors' College
• Manila Central University
• Mindanao Medical Foundation College
• Southwestern University (Philippines)

Poland

• Wrocław University of Technology [38]
• Poznan University of Medical Sciences [39]
• Adam Mickiewicz University [40]
• University of Warsaw

Portugal

• University of Minho [41]
• University of Beira Interior [42]

Russia

• Saint Petersburg Medical Technical College [43]
• The Helmholtz Research Institute for Eye Diseases

Saudi Arabia

• King Saud University, Riyadh, which offers Doctor of optometry (OD) and master's degree in Vision Science.
• Qassim University, Buraidah,Al-Qassim which offers Doctor of optometry (OD)

Singapore

• Singapore Polytechnic
• Ngee Ann Polytechnic

In 2009 University of Manchester (UK) and Singapore Polytechnic set up a degree course in optometry within the premises of Singapore Polytechnic. The degree is not recognised by the General Optical Council (GOC) in the United Kingdom. This course has since been stopped due to staffing issues.

South Africa

• University of Johannesburg, Gauteng,
• University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville campus, Durban,
• University of Limpopo,

Sri Lanka

School of Ophthalmic Technology, established in 1983 by ministry of health at National Eye Hospital Colombo with the initiation of Dr. C E Parker III. Honours the Diploma in Ophthalmic technologist. Still a degree programme does not exist. These ophthalmic technologists are trained for the purpose of government hospitals. The course is also undergone by other SAARC countries: Nepal, Maldives and Pakistan. Meantime part-time courses are conducted by private institutes to provide diploma for private sectors. Namely EYE CARE INSTITUTE and SRI LANKA OPTOMETRIST ASSOCIATION. The government of Sri Lanka does not recognize optometry as a profession and has no rule and regulation to date.

Sudan

• Al-Neelain University offers a 5-year bachelor's degree in optometry and visual science.

Sweden

• Linnaeus University, Kalmar, offers a 3-year bachelor's degree in optometry.
• Karolinska Institutet offers a 3-year bachelor's degree in optometry and a one-year master program in clinical Optometry.

Switzerland

• University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland - Institute of Optometry

Taiwan

There is currently 1 university offering a bachelor's degree in optometry and 2 educational institutions offering an associate degree in optometry:

• Chung Shan Medical University
• Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management
• Shu-Zen College of Medicine and Management [44]

Thailand

• Ramkhamhaeng University [45]
• Naresuan University [46]
• Rangsit University [47]

Trinidad & Tobago

• University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus [48]

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

There are 10 educational institutions in the United Kingdom offering degrees in optometry. Seven are located in England with one optometry school in each of Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. Additionally, in England, the Institute of Optometry offers a post-graduate professional doctorate (Doctor of Optometry degree) in partnership with London South Bank University.

England

• Anglia Ruskin University - Cambridge
• University of Aston - Birmingham
• University of Bradford
• City University London
• University of Hertfordshire
• University of Manchester
• University of Plymouth

Wales

• Cardiff University [49]

Scotland

• Glasgow Caledonian University

Northern Ireland

• University of Ulster - Coleraine campus

United States of America

There are 21 American educational institutions offering the Doctor of Optometry degree. However, many new schools are currently preparing new programs. There is much debate as to whether these additional schools are necessary. There is a general sentiment that the current state of optometry is already saturated and with falling board passage rates, many question the quality of these new programs.

• AL: University of Alabama at Birmingham
• AZ: Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry Glendale, Arizona
• CA: University of California at Berkeley [50]
• CA: Southern California College of Optometry [51]
• CA: Western University of Health Sciences
• FL: Nova Southeastern University [52]
• IL: Illinois College of Optometry [53]
• IN: Indiana University [54]
• MA: New England College of Optometry [55]
• MA: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences [56]
• MI: Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University [57]
• MO: University of Missouri at St. Louis
• NY: State University of New York in New York City [58]
• OH: The Ohio State University [59]
• OK: Northeastern State University
• OR: Pacific University in Portland, Oregon [60]
• PA: Pennsylvania College of Optometry
• PR: Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, School of Optometry [61]
• TN: Southern College of Optometry [62]
• TX: University of Houston [63]
• TX: University of the Incarnate Word [64]

See also

• List of medical schools
• List of dental schools in the United States