There are currently 146 optometry schools and colleges in our country and the count of graduating optometrist is approximately 2,115.
The demand is 10,000 Optometrist each year, and hence there is a short-fall of 6500 optometrist per academic year. For a country with 1.3 billion populations, there is a huge shortage of Ophthalmologist & Optometrist. Currently the ratio is 1 Eye care professional to 1,25,000 people.
The aim therefore should be at least 1 Ophthalmologist & Optometrist for 10,000 people
Courtesy : Association of Schools & Colleges of Optometry .