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."
Australia
- Deakin University - Bachelor of Vision Science, Master of Optometry
- Flinders University Bachelor of Medical Science (Vision Science), Master of Optometry
- Queensland University of Technology - BAppSc (Optom) - replaced with Bachelor of Vision Science / Master of Optometry from February 2009
- University of Canberra - Bachelor of Vision Science, Master of Optometry
- University of Melbourne - OD
- University of New South Wales - BOptom/BSc (Vision Science)
Brazil
- Universidade do Contestado, as a partner of Fundación Universitaria San MartÃn, of Bogotá, Colombia
Bulgaria
- Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski
Canada
- Université de Montréal, Québec
- University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science, Ontario
Colombia
- Fundación Universitaria del Area Andina, Pereira and Bogotá
- Fundación Universitaria San MartÃn, Bogotá
- Universidad Antonio Nariño, Bogotá
- Universidad de La Salle, Bogotá - Master in Vision Science
- Universidad del Bosque, Bogotá
- Universidad Metropolitana, Barranquilla
- Universidad Santo Tomás, Bucaramanga
Czech Republic
- Czech Technical University, Prague
- Masaryk University, Brno
- Palacký University, Olomouc
Ecuador
- Universidad Metropolitana, Quito
El Salvador
- Universidad de El Salvador, San Salvador - Licenciado en OptometrÃa
France
- Institut des Sciences de la Vision, St Etienne
- Institut supérieur d'optique, Paris - ISO
- Université Paris-Sud, Orsay
Ghana
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology - Doctor of Optometry
- University of Cape Coast - Doctor of Optometry
Greece
Technological Educational Institute of Athens, Department of Optics and Optometry (Ref http://optics.teiath.gr/?lang=en )
Hong Kong
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
India
At present there are more than fifty schools of optometry in India. In 1958, two schools of optometry were established, one at Gandhi Eye Hospital, Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh and the other at Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh, under the second five-year plan by Director General of Health Services of Government of India. These schools offered diplomas in optometry courses of two years duration validated by state medical faculties. Subsequently, four more schools were opened across India at Sitapur Eye Hospital, Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh, Chennai (formerly Madras) in Tamil Nadu, Bengalooru (formerly Bangalore) in Karnataka and Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Thiruvananthapuram (formerly Trivandrum) in Kerala.
The Elite School of Optometry (ESO) was established in 1985 at Chennai and was the first to offer a four-year degree course. This was followed by All India institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi and Regional Institute Of Ophthalmology, Thiruvananthapuram (formerly Trivandrum), the first government colleges to offer a bachelor's degree in optometry.
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.
- A.I.I.M.S. Delhi
- Al Salama College of Optometry - Perinthalmanna, Calicut and Kannur, Kerala
- All India Institute of Optometrical Sciences (Academic Wing of Indian Optical Institute and Refraction Hospital Trust), Kolkata, West Bengal
- Amity University Gurgaon, Haryana
- Bareilly Institute of ParaMedical Sciences & S.S. Hospital, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh
- Bausch & Lomb School of Optometry, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
- Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
- Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Medical College, School of Optometry, Pune, Maharashtra.
- Bharatimaiya College of Optometry, Surat, Gujrat
- Dr. Anand College of Optometry and Vision Science, Salem, Tamil Nadu
- Dr. DY Patil Institute of Optometry & Visual Science (Deemed) University Maharashtra
- Dr. N.T.R. University Of Health Sciences Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
- Elite School of Optometry, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- FAHS (Faculties of Allied Health Sciences Pondicherry), Vinayaka Missions University Tamil Nadu
- The Global Open University, Kohima, Nagaland
- Himalayan University, Arunachal Pradesh
- IGNOU (Central University), Delhi
- ITM Institute of Health Science, (Deemed) University, Mumbai, Maharastra
- Jadhavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Jamia Hamdard (Deemed) University, Delhi
- Jankalyan Eye Hospital Educational and research Institute, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- J.R.N. Rajasthan vidyapeeth (Deemed) University, Rajasthan
- Kalyani University, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Laxmi College of Optometry, Mumbai, Maharastra
- Lotus College of Optometry, Mumbai, Maharastra
- Madurai Kamraj University, Tamil Nadu
- Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka
- Martin Luther King University, Shillog, Meghalaya
- Municipal Eye Hospital, School of Optometry, Mumbai, Maharastra
- Nagar school of Optometry, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujrat
- Netaji Subhash Institute of Optometry, Mumbai
- Netrajyothi college of Health Science (Optometry), Bangalore, Karnataka
- NIMS University, Rajasthan
- NSHM Knowledge Campus, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Rabindra Bharti University, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Govt. Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
- RGUHS, Karnataka
- Sankara College of Optometry, Bangalore, Karnataka
- Shri Ganpati Netralaya College of Optometry, Jalna, Maharastra
- Shri Prakash Institute of Optometry(A Unit of Dr.Agarwals Eye Hospital), Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Shri Rajaram Memorial Eye Hospital, Optometry research & Training Institute, Banda, Uttar Pradesh
- Shri Vaishnav Poloticnic College Indore, Madhya Pradesh
- Sri NFL Educational Institute of Optometry, Vellore, Tamil Nadu
- Sri Ramchandra University, Porur, Tamil Nadu
- Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Science, Assam
- SRM University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Susruta School of Optometry & Visual Sciences, Cochin, Kerala
- The Tamil Nadu Dr.M.G.R Medical University Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Tripura University, Agartala, Tripura
- University of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
- University of Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Uttrakhand University, Uttrakhand
- Vasan Institute of Ophthalmology and Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
- Veer Narmad South Gujrat University, Surat, Gujrat
- Vidyasagar College of Optometry and Vision Science, Kolkata, West Bengal
- West Bengal University of technology, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU), Nasik, Maharashtra
Iran
- Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
- Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad
- Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
- Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, 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, Salento, 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 Florence
- University of Milano-Bicocca
- University of Padua, Italy
- University of Naples Federico II
- University of Roma Tre
- University of Salento
- University of Turin
Latvia
- University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia - bachelor's and master's degrees
Lebanon
- American University of Science and Technology
- Lebanese University, Faculty of Public Health
- Institut Technique Industriel Supérieur
- Modern University for Business and Science
Malaysia
- International Islamic University Malaysia
- International University College of Technology Twintech
- Management & Science University [64]
- National Institute of Ophthalmic Sciences [65]
- SEGi University College [66]
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
- Universiti Teknologi MARA
Mexico
- National Polytechnic Institute, Unidad Santo Tomas and Unidad Milpa Alta
- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
- Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes - MestrÃa en Ciencias Biomédicas Area de Optometria
- Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez
- Universidad Xochicalco, Campus Ensenada and Campus Tijuana
Nepal
- Tribhuwan University, 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
Nigeria
There are seven schools offering the O.D. (Doctor of Optometry) degree.
- Abia State University Uturu, Abia State - also offers MSc and PhD programmes in Clinical Optometry in combination with FNCO
- Bayero University, Kano, Kano State
- Federal University of Technology Owerri
- Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State
- Madonna University Okija, Anambra State
- University of Benin, Ugbowo, Benin-City, Edo State, Nigeria - also offers MSc programmes in vision science
- University of Ilorin, Kwara State
Norway
- Buskerud University College
Pakistan
- College of Ophthalmology and Allied Vision science, KEMU, Lahore
- Fatima Memorial College of Medicine and Dentistry, Lahore
- Isra School of Optometry, Isra University, Karachi
- Isra University, Islamabad
- Munawar Memorial Hospital & College of Optometry, Chakwal
- Pakistan Institute of Community Ophthalmology, Peshawar
- Pakistan Institute of Ophthalmology, Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, Rawalpindi
- Pakistan Institute of Rehabilitation Science PIRS Islamabad
- Pef University College, Peshawar
- Rashid Latif Medical College
- Rawalpindi Medical College, Rawalpindi
- University of Faisalabad
- University of Lahore, Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences (DOVS), Lahore
Philippines
- Cebu Doctors' University
- Centro Escolar University
- Davao Doctors' College
- Lyceum-Northwestern University
- Manila Central University
- Mindanao Medical Foundation College
- Southwestern University (Philippines)
Poland
- Adam Mickiewicz University
- Poznan University of Medical Sciences
- University of Warsaw
- Wrocław University of Technology
Portugal
- University of Beira Interior
- University of Minho
Russia
- The Helmholtz Research Institute for Eye Diseases
- Saint Petersburg Medical Technical College[67]
Saudi Arabia
- King Saud University, Riyadh - Doctor of Optometry (OD) and master's degree in Vision Science
- Qassim University, Buraidah, Al-Qassim - Doctor of optometry (OD)
Singapore
- 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.
- Singapore Polytechnic
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 the ministry of health at National Eye Hospital Colombo with the initiation of Dr. C E Parker III., honours the diploma in ophthalmic technology. However, 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.
Part-time courses are conducted by private institutes to provide diploma for the private sector, such as the Eye Care Institute and Sri Lanka Optometrist Association.
The government of Sri Lanka does not recognize optometry as a profession and has no regulations to date.
Sudan
- Al-Neelain University - 5-year bachelor's degree in optometry and visual science
Sweden
- Karolinska Institutet - 3-year bachelor's degree in optometry and a one-year master program in clinical Optometry.
- Linnaeus University, Kalmar - 3-year bachelor's degree in optometry
Switzerland
- University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland - Institute of Optometry [68]
Taiwan
There are currently three universities offering a bachelor's degree in optometry and two educational institutions offering an associate degree in optometry:
- Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology
- Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology (CUMT)
- Chung Shan Medical University
- Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management
- Shu-Zen College of Medicine and Management
Thailand
- Naresuan University
- Ramkhamhaeng University
- Rangsit University
Trinidad & Tobago
- University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
There are 11 educational institutions in the United Kingdom offering degrees in optometry. Eight 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
- City, University of London
- University of Aston, Birmingham
- University of Bradford
- University of Hertfordshire
- University of Manchester
- University of Plymouth
- University of Portsmouth
Wales
- Cardiff University
Scotland
- Glasgow Caledonian University
Northern Ireland
- University of Ulster, Coleraine campus
United States of America
23 American educational institutions offer the Doctor of Optometry degree. Many new schools are currently preparing new programs.
- AL: University of Alabama at Birmingham
- AZ: Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry, Glendale
- CA: Southern California College of Optometry
- CA: University of California, Berkeley
- CA: Western University of Health Sciences
- FL: Nova Southeastern University
- IL: Illinois College of Optometry
- IN: Indiana University
- IL: Midwestern University
- KY: University of Pikeville - Kentucky College of Optometry
- MA: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- MA: New England College of Optometry
- MI: Michigan College of Optometry at Ferris State University
- MO: University of Missouri at St. Louis
- NY: State University of New York in New York City
- OH: The Ohio State University
- OK: Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry
- OR: Pacific University, Portland
- PA: Pennsylvania College of Optometry
- PR: Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, School of Optometry
- TN: Southern College of Optometry
- TX: University of Houston
- TX: University of the Incarnate Word
See also
- List of medical schools
- List of dental schools in the United States