AboutJanet Carter Expertise Optometry. I am an optometrist in practice for over 25 years in the Reno area I would be happy to answer any questions about optometry, entrance requirements, education, licensing, etc...
I am married, age 27yrs, just migrated to Houston, Texas in Jan 2008' from India on my H4 dependent Visa.
I have completed my 10th class in school + 2.5yrs Diploma in Ophthalmic Technology from S.N.D.T Womens University, Mumbai,India in the yr 1998'.
After this i started my carrer as a professional working in Dispensing Optics, Contact lens Dispensing,Management of Optical outlets, all from 1998 till 2007 in Mumbai & Bangalore, India..
Also worked as a part time Consulting Optometrist for a Glaucoma Specilaist for 2 yrs in Mumbai...
Now as i have come to Houston 77 057 , i need your suggestions to keep myself alive in the same field of my interest... u can suggest me some short certifiacte courses (1-2 yrs)or some degree related information which will help me in my further earnings....
Thank You , eager to read your suggestions.
Regards,
Mina.
Answer I suggest you contact the University of Houston School of Optometry and ask them these questions. Some optometry schools have programs where a foreign graduate can enter the degree program at some accelerated point and earn an OD degree in a year or two and qualify for licensure in optometry. Basically, the program evaluates your credentials and enters you into the program based on experience/education. I do not know if the University of Houston has this program, but they might be willing to consider it even if they don't do it on a regular basis. I know that the New England College of Optometry in Boston has such a program, as does I believe the school in Philadelphia, but obviously if you could do it in your home city it would be a big advantage. It doesn't hurt to ask. Also, US states vary in their rules regarding licensure of opticians and I don't know the rules in Texas. Some states require NO licensure to open an opticianry shop; might be worth it to find out what Texas does or does not require. If nothing else I'm sure you could find work as a dispensing optician and/or optometric technician under the license of a Texas optometrist.
