College of Optometry

Optometry emerged as the branch which undertook the study of eyes, visual deformity and correction of vision by making the prescription glasses for the eyes. This is a Para clinical branch, it means it is a branch dependent and related to clinical medicine but not medicine. The difference being that an eye doctor or ophthalmologist will test, diagnose and treat visual deformities with medicines or surgery. The optometrist can check the eyes for refractive errors and make the prescription glasses for the person.

 Having well trained optometrists solves the refractive problem without having to take appointments with the doctor, but if your problem is not solved by corrective glasses it is best to visit the ophthalmologist to get your eyes checked for any organic diseases.

The college of optometry you select will depend on where you live but one of the best optometrist’s colleges is Victorian college of optometry. The Victorian college of optometry is located in Melbourne, the college works in close association with the university of Melbourne. The department of visual sciences and optometry was founded in 1939 and has served well since then. The college runs an optometrist clinic for the under privileged and this is a great learning ground for student optometrists.

If you are a practising optometrist in and around Melbourne becoming a member of the Victorian college of optometry will be very beneficial for you they have monthly technical meetings and you can use the Nathan library which is one of the best in the state.

When you want to become an optometrist you will have to get admission in one of the optometrist’s colleges and undergo training for 4-5years before you become a fully trained optometrist. The college will train you to become an optometrist and also a therapist for associated eye problems like behavioural optometry. The college of optometry in the gold coast will offer similar curriculum and all colleges will make you a member of the optometrist association.