Are you passionate of improving people’s vision and overall quality of life? You can do this by becoming an optometrist. An optometrist is an eye care specialist. Optometrist performs eye examinations, diagnoses vision conditions and prescribes corrective surgery. Well, the following steps will aid you in becoming an eye care specialist.

Steps

Get A High School Certificate

To start with, attain a high school certificate. Take interest in science subjects like biology, physiology and chemistry. Ensure that you perform extremely well in these subjects. They will be of great help to your journey in becoming an eye care specialist. In high school you will learn the basics.

Obtain a Bachelor’s Degree

You have to attain an undergraduate degree. It will take you up to 4 years. Mostly, an optometry school requires course work in biology, physics, chemistry, mathematics and English. This is very crucial for you to move to the next level. An optometry school can’t admit you if you haven’t attained a degree.

Take an Optometry Admission Test (OAT)

After the university degree, take optometry test and ensure you pass well. Before the test, read OAT guide. The guide will assist you to get information about eligibility requirements, rules of conduct, test regulations and test procedures. After the test, apply to an accredited optometry school.

Complete a Doctor of Optometry Program

If you have passed the OAT, you become a student in an optometry school. This program takes four years to complete. In the school, you learn to become a doctor of optometry. This calls for hard work and dedication.

Get Experience

It is important to consider taking a postgraduate residency in optometry. The program will enable you to gain experience. This is because residency program will allow you to practice in optometry. You will be guided by professionals in optometry. You will advance your skills in becoming a better optometrist. This program usually takes one year. It must be recognized by Accreditation Council on Optometric Education.

Get Licensed

On completion of the optometry program, acquire a license. This wills enable you to practice optometry. In order to be licensed, complete all sections of the National Board in Optometry. You need to do and complete written and oral examinations. The license needs to be renewed after a certain period of time. This will be determined by the country you are practicing in.

There you have it. Go ahead and take the necessary education in becoming an eye care specialists. All you need is quality education, experience and passion