optometry schools in Canada optometry schools in Canada

Top 10 Famous Optometry Schools in Canada

Are you trying to find the top optometry schools in Canada where you may study optometry and earn your degree? If so, we’ve got you covered.

One can achieve a degree and career by enrolling in the lucrative school of optometry, which is considered the art and concept of vision and eye care. Since the turn of the century, when technology worldwide started to grow, optometry has developed into one of the lucrative fields of study, increasing a student’s value in their community.

People are still being affected daily by some of the chemicals utilized in many of these new innovations released into the atmosphere when new technologies were developed. As a result, there is a strong demand for skilled professionals caring for both our eyes and eyesight. The Canadian government has made significant investments to ensure that their facilities are well-equipped and that students will receive comprehensive training to take care of our health in the area of eyesight.

Since there is a huge need worldwide for graduates who are perfectly educated and qualified to care for people’s eyes, people who have studied lectures related to optometry typically find employment quickly.

We’ll go over all you need to know about the top optometry schools in Canada, including—but not limited to—those that provide the most comprehensive training in eye care.

optometry
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We’ve chosen to respond to a few common queries from applicants looking to study optometry in Canada.

1. Who are the Optometrists?

The eyes and their complete system can be examined by an optometrist, a non-surgeon. Additionally, they have the right to recommend medical treatments for any eye problems. They could suggest glasses or contact lenses.

1.1) Why Pursue an Optometry Degree?

The field of optometry is constantly changing. You can be confident that studying optometry will lead to a fulfilling job. It is a challenging and engaging course to take. All you need to do is choose an area of optometry that interests you and obtain the necessary training. Most often, optometrists operate in private practices like eye clinics, vision centers, and offices. You can also work as a university professor.

Photo by IVAN CRUZ on Unsplash

1.2) Ophthalmologist, optometrist, and optician distinctions

Optometrists are medical professionals that offer basic eye care, including sight testing and correction as well as the identification, management, and treatment of vision problems. Because they only deal with issues relating to the eyes and vision, optometrists are not medical doctors.After completing four years of optometry school, followed by three or more years of college, you will be referred to as an optometry doctor (OD).

On the other hand, an ophthalmologist is a doctor qualified to operate on patients and treat eye conditions. To diagnose, they also check the eyes.

The eyeglasses or contact lenses that have been prescribed by either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist are fitted and adjusted by an optician.

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1.3) Why Optometry School in Canada?

There are several benefits to studying in Canada, even if it takes far longer to become a licenced optometrist there than it does in the UK, Ireland, or New Zealand. First of all, it’s a remarkably hospitable and forward-thinking nation, making it a terrific place to study abroad with approximately 650,000 international students.

Additionally, you can work part-time and make money while you are a student, and getting a post-graduate work visa is not difficult.

1.4) In Canada, How Do you Become an Optometrist?

A doctor of optometry requires seven or eight years of college study overall.

You must first have at least a three-year undergraduate degree. This should ideally be in the sciences. Although you can pursue a different course of study, applying to Canadian optometry schools will be significantly simpler if you have a degree in the sciences.

The next step is to submit an application to a school of optometry that has been granted accreditation by the ‘ACOE’ ( Accreditation Council on Optometric Education ).

The four to five years it takes to acquire an optometry degree include a one-year residency during which you can choose not to work but are strongly encouraged to do so in order to gain practical experience.

You will be required to sit for a national exam administered by the ‘Optometry Examining Board of Canada after graduation. You can obtain a license to practice optometry in your jurisdiction by passing this exam.

optometrists
Image by Paul Diaconu from Pixabay/Copyright 2020

1.5) Academic Prerequisites

  1. Diploma from a secondary school (SSGD)
  2. Degree from a college (DEC)
  3. 75 percent or more on average from a three-year BSc program

To become a doctor of optometry, one must enroll in a doctor of optometry school and complete 7-8 years of post-secondary education (OD). You must register with the relevant authorities in order to practice in Canada.

Check out the article A Guide For Students Needing a Letter of Recommendation

Now we are moving toward the top 10 Optometry Schools in Canada

The Top 10 Optometry Schools in Canada

1. University of Waterloo

With typical exam application scores of over 80%, the University of Waterloo in Ontario is the most lucrative (and most selective) School of Optometry in Canada. This is the topmost optometry school in Canada.

More than 34.4 thousand undergraduate students are enrolled in classes at this time.

More than 3,000 optometrists who practice in various Canadian provinces and other countries have received training from this institution.

Numerous optometry programs are available, the majority of which last four years. There are also many postgraduate programs available, including master’s, doctoral, and OD/MSc research programs. The fact that this school has assisted in the further education of numerous optometrists has earned it widespread praise both in Canada and beyond.

A few of the courses available are:

  • Health and Diseases of Visual System
  • Visual Optics
  • Clinical Practical and techniques
  • Ocular biology
  • Visual Neurophysiology

The student’s citizenship and academic year affect the tuition cost at this institution.

2. University of Montreal

In the French-speaking Quebec province, there is a renowned university called the University of Montreal. Based on the research programs they provide in the areas of pharmacology and medicine, this institution is ranked among the top 100 colleges in the world. This is the 2nd topmost optometry school in Canada.

The School of Optometry at the University of Montreal is equally as reputable as that at the University of Waterloo; in fact, it is ranked among the top 100 colleges worldwide for its important medical research!

Like Waterloo, numerous optometry and vision-related undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs are available outside of the four-year doctor of optometry curriculum.

These fields of research include, among others:

  • Vision sciences
  • Visual impairment and re-adaptation
  • Visual impairment and intervention

The number of undergraduate students registered for study at this university is around 67,000. Additionally, they boast a graduation rate of up to 90%, which appears to be excellent.

3. Dalhousie University

Dalhousie University is a Canadian institution that is situated in the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia. They accept up to 63 percent of applicants and have more than 14.6 thousand undergraduate students.

In 2003, this university started to provide students with the MSc degree in clinical visual science. It also awards graduate diplomas to students studying ophthalmic medical technology. This program is for you if you want to get expertise in clinical optometry in the field of ophthalmic medical technology. The clinical research staff at the university is extremely competent.

A high school transcript and a grade point average of at least 3.0 are required by Dalhousie University.

This is the 4th topmost optometry school in Canada.

4. University of Regina

The University of Regina is a school that prepares students for optometry and awards degrees to graduates of its optometry-related courses. Pre-optometry study is a four-year study they provide.

After their third year, students in this field of study may also transfer to other universities, such as the schools of visual sciences at the University of Waterloo, if they meet certain conditions.

Students from other countries pay more than those from the domestic students.

This is the 5th topmost optometry schools in Canada.

5. University of Alberta

University of Alberta is located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada which is the public research institute. With a strong emphasis on research, this institution provides various academic and professional programs leading to undergraduate and graduate certifications. This is the 7th topmost optometry schools in Canada.

This university offers a course in optometry and vision science. Both international and needy students are welcome to apply to the programs. The department of visual science at the University of Alberta is focused on teaching students and conducting clinical research and care. The Eye Institute of Alberta is its visual focus. The institution is dedicated to supporting students who want to pursue professions in optometry and the optical industry.

6. Red Deer College

Optometry pre-professional degrees are offered by Red Deer College, a university with a strong reputation in the field. They provide three years of recognized optometry training in their doctor of optometry program.

To transfer or graduate from this school’s two-year program, you must obtain the necessary average points across all your completed courses.

In both their primary and backup programs, Red Deer College students are obliged to provide at least 20 courses. This university has different entrance and graduation requirements each year.

Some Waterloo students start their undergraduate studies at Red Deer College before transferring to the University of Waterloo in their third year.

This is the 3rd topmost optometry school in Canada.

7. Stenberg College

There are a lot of optometry-related courses available at Stenberg College. In the majority of courses, including dispensary optician, degrees are awarded. This is the 9th topmost optometry schools in Canada.

Registering for one of these courses and passing the exams can get your optician licence. These diploma curriculum take a year to complete. ‘The National Association of Canadian Optician Regulators has also granted the school accreditation.

Graduates from this college may find employment in independent practices and some optometry clinics around the world.

8. University of Winnipeg

One of the reputable universities that provides an optometry preparation program is University of Winnipeg. The three-year program at this university provides students with an introduction to the fundamentals of optometry and the optical sciences. This is the 10th topmost optometry schools in Canada.

Following the completion of the three-year pre-medical program, graduates are granted bachelor’s degrees and are eligible to apply to the ‘University of Waterloo’ and the University of Montreal’s curriculum in optometry and ophthalmology.

9. Douglas College

One of Canada’s largest public universities offering degrees, Douglas College is situated in British Columbia. This college offers degree curriculum, university courses in science and the arts, as well as courses in business, healthcare, the arts, and human services. This is the 6th topmost optometry schools in Canada.

Dispensing opticianry, a course connected to optometry, is offered as a diploma by this school. Two years are spent on the course, which is a full-time course. The curriculum is well-liked since it equips students with various skills necessary to obtain well-paying employment. Optometry, optics, and ophthalmology are among the professions that graduates go on to pursue.

More than 25k people are enrolled at Douglas College, of whom 18k are taking classes for credit, and the rest are taking continuing education courses.

Up to 4.1k students at this school are foreigners, representing over 90 nations which indicates the Top Optometry school in Canada.

10. Thompson Rivers University

Over 30k students are served by the public research and educational institution Thompson Rivers University (TRU) in Canada. This is the last option. More than 3.6k students from more than 100 countries study abroad at Thompson Rivers University. This is the 8th topmost optometry school in Canada.

Additionally, Thompson Rivers University offers a 4-year pre-optometry degree program. It is connected to the University of Waterloo, though. As a result, after fulfilling certain conditions, students can transfer to the University of Waterloo. Your pre-optometry classes there will give you the fundamental optics and optometry knowledge you need to work in a reputable practice.

Final Remark

By enrolling in one of these institutions, you can provide yourself access to highly desirable skills. What we’re trying to say is that as the population of Canada ages, more and more people will need the help of ophthalmologists, optometrists, and opticians.

Current high school students interested in the Doctor of Optometry degree must finish a required set of college-level prerequisite courses. You will gain the wide knowledge foundation you need from these courses to start your studies in the optometry program. The optometry admissions committee does not consider grades from high school. The Committee does review all of your academic performance. Minimum 75% must be your university average.

Get any of the top optometry schools in Canada which show above to shine in the future.

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Last Updated on by Sanjana

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