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The study of optometry is the main focus of the four-year undergraduate Bachelor of Optometry program. Candidates pursuing a healthcare career that deals with diagnosing, treating, and managing conditions of the eyes and visual system are prepared with a bachelor's degree in optometry.
Candidates must have finished their Class 12 education in Science courses, such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics to be admitted to the Bachelor of Optometry program. Popular entrance exams for this program include GITAM GAT, TJEE, KCET, IUET, GUJCET, and CUET. For the 2026 admission cycle, the typical course cost for a Bachelor of Optometry (B.Optom) degree in India ranges from approximately INR 10,200 per year in government institutions to around INR 5 lakh total at private universities. NCAHP-aligned curricula apply from 2026.
Candidates can choose from various career profiles after completing their Bachelor of Optometry degree, including optometrist, Senior Optometrist, Optometry Researcher, Ophthalmologist, etc. The best places to find employment for graduates of the Bachelor of Optometry program are international vision care corporations, eye hospitals, clinics, and opticians' offices. A graduate of a bachelor of optometry typically makes between INR 3 and INR 4.4 LPA.
Overview of the Bachelor of Optometry
The B OPTOM course aims to give students a thorough grasp of the anatomy and physiology of the eye and the many methods and approaches used to diagnose and treat visual issues.
Applicants can review the following table to examine some of the salient features of B OPTOM:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| BOPTM Full Form | Bachelor of Optometry |
| Course Level | Under Graduate |
| Duration | 4 years |
| Optometry Course Fees | 10,200 INR - 5 Lakh INR |
| Entrance Exam | CUET, TJEE, GITAM GAT, KCET, GUJCET, IUET |
| Regulator | National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) under NCAHP Act 2021 (MoHFW) |
| Colleges | AIIMS Delhi, GMCH Chandigarh, Thiruvalluvar University, University of Hyderabad, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Sankara Nethralaya, Elite School of Optometry, etc. |
| Job Profiles | Optometrist, Senior Optometrist, Optometry Researcher, Ophthalmologist, etc. |
| Annual Salary | INR 3 LPA - INR 4.4 LPA |
| Topmost Recruiters | Lenskart Solutions, Reliance Industries, Titan Company, Titan Eye Plus, Optum |
Course Fees in Top Colleges in India
India has some top-notch universities for those looking to enrol in a Bachelor of Optometry program. The following universities offer thorough instruction and preparation to produce qualified optometry bachelor's degree professionals:
Among the best government colleges in India that provide Bachelor of Optometry courses are AIIMS Delhi, GMCH Chandigarh, University of Hyderabad, and SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre.
| Particulars | Optometry | BSc Nursing |
|---|---|---|
| Level | UG and PG | UG |
| Duration | 2-4 years | 4 years |
| Fees | 10,200 INR - 5 Lakh INR | 8,500 INR - 1.3 Lakh INR |
| Entrance Exams | CUET, TJEE, KCET, GUJCET, GITAM GAT, IUET | NEET UG, AIIMS NORCET, IPU CET, BVP CET, state nursing CETs (since 2020 INC mandate) |
| Regulator | NCAHP (Allied & Healthcare Act 2021) | Indian Nursing Council (INC) |
| Topmost Colleges | AIIMS Delhi, GMCH Chandigarh, University of Hyderabad, SRM, Thiruvalluvar University | AIIMS Delhi, JIPMER Puducherry, AFMC, CMC Vellore |
| Job Profiles | Optometrist, Optometry Researcher, Senior Optometrist, Ophthalmologist | Staff Nurse, Medical Coder, Operations Manager, Clinical Coordinator |
| Annual Salary | INR 3 LPA - INR 4.4 LPA | Up to INR 5.1 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | Lenskart Solutions, Titan Company, Reliance Industries, Titan Eye Plus, Optum | Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Healthcare, Wockhardt Hospitals, Manipal Hospital, Medanta Medicity |
Course Fees in Top Private Colleges
Among the best private universities in India that provide B.Optom are Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Christian Medical College, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, and Manipal College of Health Professions.
The following table lists a few more well-known private universities where candidates can enrol in Bachelor of Optometry programs.
Why Take an Optometry Bachelor's Course: Benefits
- Students can explore the intricacies of ocular anatomy and physiology by enrolling in a Bachelor of Optometry course.
- One of the main goals of the Bachelor of Optometry degree is to give students the knowledge and skills necessary to treat visual impairments.
- Students pursuing a bachelor's degree in optometry learn to recognise and manage various conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.
- In addition to their technical proficiency, optometrists demonstrate exceptional patient care and communication skills.
- The need for skilled optometrists is still growing, making a B.Optom course an excellent option for anyone looking for various employment options. Graduates can pursue careers in academia, industry, private practice, hospitals, research facilities, eye clinics, and corporate environments.
Optometry compared to BSc Nursing
Corrective lens prescription, eye health, and vision care are optometrists' primary areas of attention. They identify and handle eye conditions and vision issues.
Conversely, individuals with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree engage in hands-on patient care, offering various medical services such as medication administration, surgical assistance, and patient care coordination.
Applicants can compare the two courses by referring to the table above.
Bachelor of Optometry Eligibility
- Applicants must have completed their Class 12 education from any state or national board to pursue the Bachelor of Optometry program.
- They must also have studied Science subjects — Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (or Mathematics, depending on the institute).
- Some medical and health science colleges have minimum qualifying mark requirements (typically 50%, 40% for reserved categories) and age limits (at least 17 years).
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Bachelor of Optometry Entrance Exams
A prerequisite for admission to Bachelor of Optometry programs is completing entrance tests. Candidates should be aware of any admission tests they would need to take to pursue a career in optometry as a bachelor. Popular entrance exams accepted for B.Optom in India include CUET UG (NTA), KCET, GUJCET, GITAM GAT, TJEE and IUET. NEET UG is required only at a handful of institutes that have voluntarily adopted it.
Admission Process for B.Optom
Based on the achievement on the admission exam and their grade point average from the 10+2 level, students are admitted to the B.Optom program. Merit-based admissions are also offered by several universities.
- Applicants should confirm their eligibility and the type of admission exam to narrow the applicant pool before applying to this course at a specific college or university.
- Students must complete an application, which can be done online or in person at the campus, to be considered for the course.
- Take the entrance examination.
- The entrance exam determines admission to the B.Optom program. Application forms are made available in May, and universities and colleges begin announcing their respective cutoffs as soon as the forms are completed.
- The colleges will make the cutoff list public, and those students who reached the shortlist will also be invited to the ensuing counseling session.
- Last Round of Admissions: The colleges administer several rounds for this course to evaluate each student's aptitude and counseling skills.
Syllabus for Bachelor of Optometry
Students pursuing a bachelor's degree in optometry gain extensive knowledge and expertise. The curriculum for the Bachelor of Optometry program is intended to give students a solid grounding in both the theoretical and applied fields of optometry. NCAHP-aligned competency-based curricula are mandatory from 2026.
The Bachelor of Optometry program's curriculum covers a broad range of vision science and eye care topics including Ocular Anatomy, Physiology of Eye, Geometric & Visual Optics, Optometric Instruments, Clinical Refraction, Contact Lens, Pediatric Optometry, Low Vision, Binocular Vision, Ocular Diseases and Clinical Internship in the 4th year.
Optometry Bachelor's Degree Career Scope
Graduates with a Bachelor of Optometry degree have several different job options. After earning their bachelor's degree in optometry, graduates can work in private practices to treat various eye conditions, prescribe corrective lenses, and conduct thorough eye exams. Optometrists and ophthalmologists collaborate to refer patients for additional medical care when appropriate.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Optometry program have a bright future. By offering comprehensive eye care services, graduates of Bachelor of Optometry courses can significantly improve people's health and well-being, whether in private practice, hospitals, research, or the corporate sector. PG progression via M.Optom (2 years) or PhD in Vision Science is available at institutes such as LV Prasad Eye Institute (Hyderabad), Sankara Nethralaya (Chennai) and Elite School of Optometry.
Top Recruiters for Bachelor of Optometry
There will likely be a greater need for graduates of Bachelor of Optometry programs in the coming years due to the ageing population and growing awareness of the importance of comprehensive eye care. Graduates of bachelor's programs in optometry can also make significant contributions to public health campaigns that support eye health and avoid visual impairment. Top recruiters include Lenskart Solutions, Titan Eye Plus, Reliance Industries, Optum and major eye-care hospital chains.
Bachelor of Optometry Salary in India
Graduates of the program can seek a range of occupations after earning their Bachelor of Optometry degree, typically between INR 3 LPA and INR 4.4 LPA at entry-level, with senior optometrists and managers earning higher.
Recent Updates on the Bachelor of Optometry (2026)
- Regulator update: Optometry is now regulated under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act 2021. Implementation of NCAHP's new competency-based curriculum for ten allied and healthcare professions (including Optometry) is mandatory from 2026 (source: ncahp.abdm.gov.in, MoHFW).
- CUET UG 2026: Conducted by NTA in May 2026 across CBT mode; accepts Optometry admissions at participating central/state universities. Official: exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-UG.
- KCET 2026: Conducted by KEA Karnataka in April 2026 for allied health admissions including B.Optom. Official: cetonline.karnataka.gov.in/kea.
- GUJCET 2026: Conducted by GSEB in March/April 2026. Official: gseb.org.
- PM Vidyalaxmi: Optometry students at QHEI-listed institutions can avail collateral-free education loans up to INR 10 lakh with 3% interest subvention (family income up to INR 8 LPA). Apply at pmvidyalaxmi.co.in.
