How to become an ocular disease optometrist

How to become an Ocular Disease Optometrist

Becoming an ocular disease optometrist involves completing standard optometry education and then pursuing specialized ocular disease training and clinical experience. Here’s an overview of the pathway to the career:

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Most students complete a bachelor’s degree in a science-related field such as biology, physiology, or health science. Prerequisite courses usually include biology, chemistry, physics, and math.

Take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT)
The Optometry Admission Test is a standardized examination designed to measure general academic ability and comprehension of scientific information. The OAT is sponsored by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) for applicants seeking admission to an optometry program. All schools and colleges of optometry in the United States and the University of Waterloo, Canada (the only provider of English-language instruction for optometry in Canada) require the OAT.

The OAT consists of four tests: Survey of the Natural Sciences (Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry), Reading Comprehension, Physics, and Quantitative Reasoning.

Complete a Doctor of Optometry (OD) Degree
This is a four-year professional program, required both in the United States and Canada, encompasses classroom learning in optics, ocular anatomy, diseases of the eye, pharmacology, and vision science. Clinical rotations, which provide practical, hands-on experience, typically include ocular disease optometry.

To become a registered optometrist in the UK, you must complete a General Optical Council (GOC)-approved optometry degree and then undertake a 12–18-month pre-registration training scheme, which involves practical experience.

Obtain Licensure
You must pass a licensing exam to practise:

• US – Pass the three-part exam series administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO). Part I: Applied Basic Science, which tests fundamental knowledge of ocular and systemic systems; Part II: Patient Assessment and Management (PAM), which evaluates clinical decision-making through case studies; and Part III: Patient Encounters and Performance Skills (PEPS), which assesses practical clinical abilities in patient interactions and skills. Canadians who wish to pursue a residency in the US must complete the NBEO exam.
• Canada – The Optometry Examining Board of Canada (OEBC) administers the registration and jurisprudence exams required to practise optometry in Canada.
• UK – Pass the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and then register with the general Optical Council to practise.

Complete a Residency in Ocular Disease or Ocular Disease/Primary Care (Optional but Highly Recommended)
This 13-month-long post -doctoral program provides advanced training in diagnosing and managing complex eye diseases, including conditions like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, and corneal disease, utilizing advanced diagnostic tools such as OCT and visual fields.

The curriculum involves extensive clinical experience in subspecialty clinics (e.g., retina, glaucoma, cornea, oculoplastics, neuro-ophthalmology) and emergency settings, alongside scholarly activities, teaching opportunities, and exposure to surgical co-management and practice management.

Residents work within interdisciplinary teams to manage chronic systematic diseases, and engage in a research project, such as writing a case report or research paper of publishable quality for submission to a professional journal.

Pursue Certifications
Ocular disease optometrists can pursue voluntary credentials to demonstrate advanced expertise beyond general optometry practice. Here’s a look at some of the most respected certifications:

• Certification: Treatment and Management of Ocular Disease (TMOD) – Offered by the American Board of Optometry (ABO) and administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO), this certification demonstrates proficiency in medical management of eye diseases, including glaucoma, retinal disorders, corneal disease, and ocular inflammation.
• Fellow of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control (FIAOMC) – This credential validates specialized training in fitting overnight lenses that temporarily reshape the cornea to reduce myopia or other refractive errors.
• Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO) – This credential recognizes optometrists who have completed advanced clinical training, passed rigorous examinations, and contributed to research or education in various areas of eye care, including ocular disease management.
• Specialty Certifications – Optometrists can earn certificates in areas such as glaucoma management, diabetic eye care, or anterior segment disease through accredited courses and workshops offered by a range of organizations and institutions.

Continue Professional Development
Ocular disease optometrists often engage in continuing education to maintain licensure and stay current with advances in the diagnosis and treatment of ocular disease.

Professional Organizations
In addition to the certifying bodies referenced above in the Certifications section, the following organizations also support ocular disease optometrists and the broader optometric and ophthalmologic community:

• Optometric Glaucoma Society (OGS) – promoting excellence in care of glaucoma patients through professional education and scientific investigation
• International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE) – focusing on global contact lens education and research for eye care professionals; providing resources related to ocular surface disease
• American Optometric Association (AOA) – the leading professional organization for doctors of optometry, optometry students, and paraoptometric staff
• Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) – supporting optometrists with clinical guidelines, continuing education, and advocacy in Canada
• World Council of Optometry (WCO) – an international non-profit organization dedicated to promoting eye health and vision care as a human right by advancing the optometric profession globally through advocacy, education, and humanitarian outreach
• International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) – offering resources and training programs relevant to vision rehabilitation and low vision care globally