Master of Optometry [M.Optom]

The Master of Optometry (M.Optom) is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered by the Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Allied Health Sciences (SRFAHS) at SRIHER, Chennai. The programme spans 4 semesters and carries 98 credits, covering advanced areas such as Advanced Paediatric Optometry and Binocular Vision, Ocular Diseases and Diagnostics, Advanced Contact Lens, Low Vision Care and Rehabilitation, Advanced Dispensing Optics, Epidemiology and Community Eye Care, and Vision Care for Special Populations. The total fee is Rs. 3,00,000 (Rs. 1,50,000 per year), with a seat intake of 10 students per batch. The programme is offered in full-time on-campus mode and is highly sought after by B.Optom graduates due to SRIHER's NAAC A++ accreditation, its state-of-the-art ophthalmology department within a 2,500-bed teaching hospital, and strong placement opportunities in clinical optometry, eye care chains, and academic institutions.

Admissions for the 2026-27 academic year are expected to follow the same pattern as 2025-26. For 2025-26, the online application opened on January 29, 2025, with a last date of July 1, 2025, and interviews held on July 16-18, 2025. For 2026-27, the application window is tentatively expected to open around January-February 2026, with interviews in July 2026. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official website at www.sriramachandra.edu for confirmed dates.

Key Points

• The M.Optom programme at SRIHER is offered by the Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, one of India's pioneering allied health faculties established in 1995.
• Clinical training is conducted at SRIHER's ophthalmology department within its 2,500-bed teaching hospital, providing exposure to a wide range of ocular diseases, surgical cases, and specialty clinics.
• The curriculum includes dedicated specialty clinic rotations across all 4 semesters, covering paediatric optometry, contact lens, low vision, community eye care, and occupational optometry.
• The programme includes a mandatory research project (Semester III) and dissertation with viva voce (Semester IV), developing research competency in students.
• Graduates are eligible to work as clinical optometrists, contact lens specialists, low vision specialists, and paediatric optometrists in hospitals, eye care chains, and private practice.
• The programme is recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and UK NARIC, enabling graduates to pursue higher education or employment abroad.

SRIHER M.Optom Fees

The M.Optom programme at SRIHER is priced at Rs. 1,50,000 per academic year, making the total tuition fee Rs. 3,00,000 for the 2-year programme. This is a competitive fee for a postgraduate optometry programme at a NAAC A++ deemed university with a fully equipped ophthalmology department and specialty clinics. Hostel accommodation is available optionally on campus for both male and female students.

Fee Structure

Hostel Fees (Optional)

• The tuition fee is payable at the start of each academic year and is non-refundable once paid.
• Hostel accommodation is optional and available separately for both male and female students on campus.
• The hostel caution deposit is refundable at the time of leaving the hostel.
• Fees are subject to revision as per university rules.
• No EMI facility is officially mentioned; students are advised to confirm payment schedules at the time of admission.

SRIHER M.Optom Admission 2026

Admission to the M.Optom programme at SRIHER is conducted through a direct interview process. There is no written entrance examination. Candidates are shortlisted based on their undergraduate academic performance and performance in the interview held at the SRIHER campus in Chennai. The 2026-27 admission cycle is expected to follow a similar timeline to 2025-26, with applications opening around January-February 2026 and interviews in July 2026.

Important Dates

Note: The above dates are tentative and based on the 2025-26 admission schedule. Candidates must check the official website www.sriramachandra.edu for confirmed dates.

There is no mandatory national entrance examination for admission to M.Optom at SRIHER. Admission is purely through a university-level interview. No national exam scores are required for this programme.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must hold a B.Optom (Bachelor of Optometry) degree or its equivalent from any university recognised by the UGC.
• No minimum percentage is explicitly specified on the official website; however, candidates with strong academic records are preferred.
• Candidates must be medically fit as assessed by SRIHER at the time of admission.

Admission Process

• Apply online at https://apply.sriramachandra.edu.in by paying the non-refundable application fee of Rs. 1,000.
• Upload self-attested copies of all degree mark statements (Year 1 to Final Year), provisional/degree certificate, transfer certificate, and internship completion certificate (if applicable).
• Download the interview call letter from the application portal approximately 5 days before the interview date.
• Attend the in-person interview at SRIHER, Porur, Chennai on the allotted date and time.
• Selection is based on interview performance; in case of a tie, academic marks from the qualifying degree are used for ranking.
• Provisionally selected candidates must submit original certificates at the time of counselling.
• Undergo a mandatory medical fitness examination at SRIHER before final admission.

SRIHER M.Optom Scholarships 2026

SRIHER offers a range of scholarships to meritorious and financially needy students across all its programmes, including postgraduate optometry students. The flagship Founder-Chancellor Merit-cum-Means Scholarship benefitted over 130 students in 2023-24, with a total disbursement of Rs. 93,37,500. Students are encouraged to apply through their respective departments with supporting documents including mark sheets and income certificates.

Scholarship Details

• Scholarships are awarded from the 2nd year of study onwards for most schemes.
• Applications must be submitted through the respective department along with income certificate, mark sheets, and other supporting documents.
• Government scholarships such as the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) schemes are also applicable for eligible students.
• Scholarship amounts and eligibility criteria are subject to revision each academic year.

SRIHER M.Optom Placement 2026

Placement data exclusive to the M.Optom programme at SRIHER is not separately published. However, the Sri Ramachandra Faculty of Allied Health Sciences has a strong track record of placing graduates in clinical and academic roles nationally and internationally. M.Optom graduates from SRIHER work as Clinical Optometrists, Contact Lens Specialists, Low Vision Specialists, Paediatric Optometrists, Community Eye Care Specialists, and Academic/Research Optometrists. SRIHER's Allied Health Sciences alumni are employed at leading eye hospitals, optical retail chains, and medical universities in India and internationally. Entry-level optometrist salaries in India range from Rs. 3 to 5 LPA, with experienced professionals and those in specialty roles earning Rs. 6 to 10 LPA or more.

Placement Details

According to an external review site Ranking 2025, SRIHER ranks 397 out of 632 colleges in India and 37 in state Tamil Nadu for its M.Optom program.

• 11 out of 20 under India Today Medical Ranking 2025.
• 21 out of 50 under NIRF Medical Ranking 2025.
• 15 out of 57 under IIRF Medical Ranking 2025.
• 4 out of 23 under Outlook Medical Ranking 2021.

Read more on SRIHER Rankings here

SRIHER M.Optom FAQs

Ques. Is the M.Optom at SRIHER recognised by the UGC and other regulatory bodies?

Ans. Yes, the M.Optom programme at SRIHER is offered by a UGC-recognised Category I Deemed University accredited with NAAC A++ grade. The programme is recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) and UK NARIC, enabling graduates to pursue higher education or employment abroad. Graduates are eligible to register with the relevant state optometry councils and practice as licensed optometrists in India.

Ques. What is the eligibility for M.Optom at SRIHER? Can a B.Sc. Optometry graduate apply?

Ans. The official eligibility requires a B.Optom (Bachelor of Optometry) degree or its equivalent from any UGC-recognised university. Candidates with a B.Sc. in Optometry from a recognised university may also be considered as equivalent, but it is advisable to confirm with the admissions office at SRIHER before applying.

Ques. Is there any entrance exam for M.Optom at SRIHER?

Ans. No, there is no written entrance examination. Admission is purely through a personal interview conducted at the SRIHER campus in Chennai. Candidates are shortlisted based on their undergraduate academic performance and interview scores. No national exam such as CUET-PG is required for this programme.

Ques. What are the career options after M.Optom from SRIHER?

Ans. Graduates can work as Clinical Optometrists, Contact Lens Specialists, Low Vision Specialists, Paediatric Optometrists, and Community Eye Care Specialists in hospitals, eye care chains, and private practice. Top recruiters include Titan Eye Plus, Lenskart, Dr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital, Sankara Nethralaya, Aravind Eye Hospital, and LVPEI. International opportunities are available in the Middle East, UK, Singapore, and Australia. Entry-level salaries range from Rs. 3-5 LPA, with experienced professionals earning Rs. 6-10 LPA or more.

Ques. How many seats are available for M.Optom at SRIHER, and how competitive is admission?

Ans. The seat intake for M.Optom at SRIHER is 10 seats per batch. Given the limited seats and the reputation of SRIHER, admission is competitive. Candidates with strong academic records in their B.Optom and good clinical knowledge in the interview have the best chances. Candidates are advised to apply early once the application portal opens.

Ques. Does the M.Optom programme at SRIHER include low vision and paediatric optometry training?

Ans. Yes, the curriculum includes dedicated modules on Low Vision Care and Rehabilitation (Semester II) and Advanced Paediatric Optometry and Binocular Vision (Semester I), along with specialty clinic rotations in these areas across all 4 semesters. Clinical training at SRIHER's ophthalmology department provides hands-on exposure to low vision patients, children with vision disorders, and binocular vision anomalies, making graduates well-equipped for these in-demand specialty roles.