Definition Education and Training Scope of Practice & Services Education & Training An optometric physician has completed pre-professional undergraduate education in a college or university; and four years of professional education at a college of optometry, leading to the doctor of optometry (O.D.) degree. Some optometric physicians also complete a residency. Optometric physicians complete rigorous oral, written and practical examinations in order to obtain national and state licensure, including national certification in the treatment and management of ocular disease. They also must pursue continuing education as a requirement for license renewal. The curriculum at the 17 schools and colleges of optometry in the United States includes classroom and clinical training in ocular disease; general and ocular human anatomy; general pharmacology; general pathology; physical and physiological optics; sensory and perceptual psychology; biochemistry; and all phases of functional vision care. There are also accredited residency programs in such areas as contact lenses; family practice; low vision and rehabilitative optometry; binocular vision; hospital based care; geriatrics; and pediatrics.