List of optometry schools

The following list of optometry schools covers many countries, although the list is not exhaustive. Internationally, optometry as a profession includes different levels of education. The institutions listed below provide academic and professional education and clinical training that ranges from Doctor of Optometry degree level to other professional degrees in optometry and also non-degree level education leading to a diploma or other qualifications in optometry.
In many countries the role of optometry is statutorily defined, practice is regulated and there is uniformity in professional education and clinical training and the scope of practice is consistent with the definition of optometry as a profession. In such countries the nomenclature of terminal qualification may be reviewed as and when necessary. In Australia, for example, Doctor of Optometry (OD) is now established at University of Melbourne (first intake 2011) and OD is described as "an internationally recognised qualification and the gold standard for optometry education."
Greece.
Technological Educational Institute of Athens, Department of Optics and Optometry
Hungary.
Semmelweis University, Faculty of Health Sciences - Optometry within Medical Diagnostic Analysis Bsc 
India.
At present there are more than fifty schools of optometry in India. In 1958, two schools of optometry were established, one at Gandhi Eye Hospital, Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh and the other at Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh, under the second five-year plan by Director General of Health Services of Government of India. These schools offered diplomas in optometry courses of two years duration validated by state medical faculties. Subsequently, four more schools were opened across India at Sitapur Eye Hospital, Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh, Chennai (formerly Madras) in Tamil Nadu, Bengalooru (formerly Bangalore) in Karnataka, Al Salama College of Optometry, Perinthalmana, Malappuram and Regional Institute of Ophthalmology (Govt medical college), Thiruvananthapuram (formerly Trivandrum) in Kerala.
The Elite School of Optometry (ESO) was established in 1985 at Chennai and was the first to offer a four-year degree course. This was followed by All India institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi and in Kerala Al Salama College of Optometry, Perinthalmana, Malappuram is the first private colleges to offer a bachelor's degree in optometry, Started in 2005, Regional Institute of Ophthalmology (Govt Medical college), Thiruvananthapuram (formerly Trivandrum) is the first government colleges to offer a bachelor's degree in optometry in 2010; were considered as the best in excellence from Govt. of India.
The following list includes educational institutions offering four year degree courses, two or three year diploma courses and also non-degree courses. Post-graduate education in optometry is also offered in India leading to M.Optom, M.Phil., M.Sc. and Ph.D. by several universities.
Italy.
Currently there are seven state universities (in Milano, Padova, Lecce, Roma, Firenze, Napoli, and Torino) offering three-year university degrees in optics and optometry (Ottica e Optometria), formally a kind of a physics degree.
Optometry education in Italy starts in 1969-70. Some post-secondary non-university courses are currently active (2020). Their program can be accessed only by licensed opticians. Some of the more appreciated schools are:
Nigeria.
There are seven schools offering the O.D. (Doctor of Optometry) degree. 
Singapore.
In 2009 University of Manchester (UK) and Singapore Polytechnic set up a degree course in optometry within the premises of Singapore Polytechnic. The degree is not recognised by the General Optical Council (GOC) in the United Kingdom. This course has since been stopped due to staffing issues.
South Africa.
4 Year bachelor's degrees including clinical optometry
Sri Lanka.
School of Ophthalmic Technology, established in 1983 by the ministry of health at National Eye Hospital Colombo with the initiation of Dr. C E Parker III., honours the diploma in ophthalmic technology. However, a degree programme does not exist. These ophthalmic technologists are trained for the purpose of government hospitals.
The course is also undergone by other SAARC countries: Nepal, Maldives and Pakistan.
Optometry courses are conducted by private institutes such as Eye Care Institutes, Sri Lanka optometric association and vision care academy to provide diploma program
However, the government of Sri Lanka does not recognize optometry as a profession and has no regulations to date.
Sudan.
Established in 1954 as institute of optometry in Khartoum eye hospital.
Joined ministry of Higher Education in 1986 as the High Institute of Optometry, and lastly was annexed to Alneelain University in 1997 when it was re- named to become Faculty of Optometry and Visual Sciences (FOVS).
Currently FOVS has the following programs:
1- BSc optometry in 5 years with sub- specialization in either orthoptics, contact lenses, ocular photography or ocular neurology.
2- Diploma in ophthalmic technology in 3 years.
3- Diploma in optical dispensary in 3 years.
FOVS also offers MSc and PhD degrees in Optometry.
FOVS is the only of its kind in Sudan and is the first in Middle East and Africa .
In 2010, Alneelain University Eye Hospital was established as part of FOVS to expand training capacity and to serve community.
Taiwan.
There are currently seven universities offering a bachelor's degree in optometry and four educational institutions offering an associate degree in optometry:
United Kingdom.
There are 12 educational institutions in the United Kingdom offering degrees in optometry. Nine are located in England with one optometry school in each of Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. Additionally, in England, the Institute of Optometry offers a post-graduate professional doctorate (Doctor of Optometry degree) in partnership with London South Bank University. The Doctor of Optometry postgraduate degree is also offered at Aston University, Birmingham. The Aston Doctor of Optometry includes academic modules in independent pharmaceutical prescribing, alongside advanced optometry modules in glaucoma, retinal/macular disease, myopia and many others.
United States.
Twenty-three American educational institutions offer the Doctor of Optometry degree.