Optometry
Optometry is a health care profession which involves examining the eyes and applicable visual systems for defects or abnormalities as well as the medical diagnosis and management of eye disease. Traditionally, the field of optometry began with the primary focus of correcting refractive error through the use of spectacles. Modern day optometry, however, has evolved through time so that the educational curriculum additionally includes intensive medical training in the diagnosis and management of ocular disease in countries where the profession is established and regulated.
Optometrists (also known as doctors of optometry in the United States and Canada for those holding the O.D. degree, or ophthalmic opticians in the United Kingdom) are health care professionals who provide primary eyecare through comprehensive eye examinations to detect and treat various visual abnormalities and eye diseases. Being a regulated profession, an optometrist's scope of practice may differ depending on the location. Thus, disorders or diseases detected outside the treatment scope of optometry are referred out to relevant medical professionals for proper care, more commonly to ophthalmologists who are physicians that specialize in tertiary medical and surgical care of the eye. Optometrists typically work closely together with other eye care professionals such as ophthalmologists and opticians to deliver quality and efficient eyecare to the general public.
The term "optometry" comes from the Greek words ὄψις (opsis; "view") and μέτρον (metron; "something used to measure", "measure", "rule"). The word entered the language when the instrument for measuring vision was called an optometer, (before the terms phoropter or refractor were used). The root word opto is a shortened form derived from the Greek word ophthalmos meaning, "eye." Like most healthcare professions, the education and certification of optometrists is regulated in most countries. Optometric professionals and optometry-related organizations interact with governmental agencies, other healthcare professionals, and the community to deliver eye- and vision-care.
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Scholarships for Optometry Majors
Edith Nourse Rogers STEM ScholarshipU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs |
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award Up to $30,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship is available to military veterans and their dependents who are pursuing studies in STEM fields. You must be a recipient of the Post-9/11 GI Bill or Fry Scholarship to be eligible for this award, which acts as an extension to expiring benefits of those programs. View Scholarship Details |
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Morris K. Udall and John S. McCain III Native American Graduate Fellowship in Tribal PolicyMorris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation |
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award $25,000 |
deadline May 16, 2025 |
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DescriptionThe Morris K. Udall and John S. McCain III Native American Graduate Fellowship in Tribal Policy is available to Native American and Alaska Native graduate students who are pursuing studies in advanced degrees in health care fields. To be eligible for this fellowship, you must be a U.S. citizen/permanent resident, have completed at least one... View Scholarship Details |
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Provident Health Professionals ScholarshipCook County Health |
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award Up to $20,000 |
deadline May 18, 2025 |
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DescriptionThe Provident Health Professionals Scholarship is available to medical students and students in a graduate - level clinical academic program who are from, and dedicated to serving, underrepresented communities in Cook County. You must have a minimum 2.7 GPA and demonstrate financial need to be eligible for this award. View Scholarship Details |
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AMA Foundation Underrepresented in Medicine Physicians of Tomorrow ScholarshipAmerican Medical Association Foundation |
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award $10,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe AMA Foundation Underrepresented in Medicine Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship is available to medical students who are from historically underrepresented groups in the medical profession. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and demonstrate a dedication to serving vulnerable or underserved populations to be eligible for this... View Scholarship Details |
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AMA Foundation Physicians of Tomorrow ScholarshipAmerican Medical Association Foundation |
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award $10,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe AMA Foundation Physicians of Tomorrow Scholarship is available to medical students in their final year of medical school. Selection for this award is based on academic achievement and/or financial need. Students pursuing a career in medical journalism may also apply. View Scholarship Details |
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Allman Medical ScholarshipMiss America Pageant |
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award Up to $10,000 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Allman Medical Scholarship is available to women who are competing at the local, state and or national level of the Miss America competition. You must wish to enter the field of medicine to become a medical doctor to be eligible for this award. Your application will be considered on your GPA, class rank, MCAT score, extracurricular... View Scholarship Details |
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UNCF/CVS Health Foundation Health Care Careers ScholarshipUNCF, Inc |
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award $10,000 |
deadline May 15, 2025 |
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DescriptionThe UNCF/CVS Health Foundation Health Care Careers Scholarship is available to full-time, junior-level undergraduate students who identify as African American/Black or Latino/a/e. To be considered for this renewable award, you must be majoring in pharmacy, nursing, business management, biology, biochemistry, finance, operations/supply chain,... View Scholarship Details |
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Healthcare ScholarshipFor A Bright Future Foundation |
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award Up to $10,000 |
deadline May 31, 2025 |
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DescriptionThe Healthcare Scholarship is open to underrepresented and underprivileged high school and undergraduate students. You must be pursuing a career in Healthcare at any University in the United States and have a 3.0 GPA in order to to eligible for this award. View Scholarship Details |
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St. David’s Scholar Program - Huston-Tillotson UniversityHuston-Tillotson University |
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award $7,500 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe St. David’s Scholar Program is available to incoming freshman students at Huston-Tillotson University who intend to pursue health careers. There are a limited amount of spots for rising sophomores to enter the program. This is a renewable award. View Scholarship Details |
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Board of Trustees Scholarship - Salus UniversitySalus University |
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award $6,500 |
deadline Varies |
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DescriptionThe Board of Trustees Scholarship is available to first- year doctor of optometry students at Salus University. You must be a resident of a non- contract state (all states except Delaware, Nebraska, North Carolina and West Virginia) and have a strong academic record to be eligible for this award. View Scholarship Details |
Optometry Related Majors
- Pre-Medicine/Pre-Medical Studies
- Physical Therapy/Therapist
- Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
- Athletic Training/Trainer
- Dental Hygiene/Hygienist
- Pre-Nursing Studies
- Physician Associate/Assistant
- Health/Health Care Administration/Management
- Occupational Therapy/Therapist
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician
- Dentistry
- Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer
- Public Health
- Pre-Pharmacy Studies
- Pre-Dentistry Studies
- Massage Therapy/Therapeutic Massage
- Medical Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiation Therapist
- Dental Assisting/Assistant