Why Optometry

Why should you consider applying to the Kentucky College of Optometry?

• In 2011, the governor of Kentucky signed Senate Bill 110 (Better Access to Quality Healthcare Act) into law, making Kentucky only one of three states in the nation to allow optometrists to perform in-office laser eye procedures, inject medications into eyes and remove “lumps and bumps” around the eyes.  All of these procedures are part of the curriculum and clinical practice at the Kentucky College of Optometry.
• A new 103,000-square-foot building houses state-of-the-art learning and teaching space for the Kentucky College of Optometry.
• As a student you will:
  • Have access to the newest and most advanced equipment as part of your learning.
  • Examine a patient population with a diversity of health conditions that will increase your clinical experience.
  • Provide better access to quality eye care for rural Kentucky residents.
  • Participate in unique clinical experiences in our system of satellite clinics, strategically placed in rural areas in need, and in a hospital clinic where you will collaborate with other medical professionals.

What is Optometry?

Optometry is the independent primary healthcare profession that specializes in diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the eye and visual system. Doctors of Optometry (O.D.) are the primary care doctors of the eye who perform comprehensive examinations on people of all ages to preserve ocular health by prescribing contact lenses and glasses, treating diseases such as glaucoma, performing specific surgical procedures and providing pre- and post-operative care for eye surgery patients. Additionally, the curriculum for the Doctor of Optometry consists of courses such as human anatomy, physiology and pharmacology that enable optometrists to often detect critical health issues (diabetes, hypertension, etc.) and refer patients for immediate treatment.

Why choose Optometry as a career?

• U.S. News & World Report listed Optometry as one of the best jobs for investigative people, because it’s “a profession with a high cure rate, regular hours, good pay and realistic potential for being successfully self-employed.”
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment of optometrists is projected to grow 24 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. Because vision problems tend to occur more frequently later in life, an aging population will require more optometrists.
• Forbes: Listed by Forbes as one of the top 10 careers in health professions.
• CNN Money: Listed as the ninth fastest growing job in America.

Why become an Optometrist?

• Flexible work schedules
• Freedom to choose where you live and practice
• High demand for optometrists—specifically in areas like rural Kentucky—as our population ages
• Meaningfully making a difference in lives of your patients
• Minimal emergency calls
• Opportunity to specialize in specific areas of interest: geriatric, pediatric, contact lenses, patients with disabilities (to name a few)
• Time you are able to spend with your patients

Why Kentucky?

The Better Access to Quality Eye Care Act was signed into law by Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear in Feb. 2011. It allows optometrists to perform a range of new procedures, including Yag capsulotomy — post cataract surgery — and argon laser trabeculoplasty and selective laser trabeculoplasty — both forms of glaucoma surgery. With this law, Kentucky became the third state in the nation to expand the law giving optometrists the ability to employ a wider range of treatment options for patients throughout the state. Two-thirds of Kentucky’s 120 counties do not have an ophthalmology practice, while optometrists have practices in 106 counties, including 77 percent of counties designated as “medically underserved.” With more than three million Kentuckians currently being served by doctors of optometry, these additional services make primary eye care more accessible to rural populations.