Frequently asked questions

The Karnataka Optometry Association (KOA) is a not-for-profit professional association of optometrists, students and educators in Karnataka. It is registered under the Karnataka Societies Act, 1960, and works for the upliftment and promotion of optometry and eye care across the state through continuing education, public awareness and member support.

Optometry is a healthcare profession that is autonomous, educated and regulated. Optometrists are the primary healthcare practitioners of the eye and visual system. They provide comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, the detection, diagnosis and management of disease in the eye, and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system.

Membership is open to qualified optometrists and to optometry students. There are three categories: life member, associate member and student member. Qualified optometrists may join as life or associate members, and students may join as student members with their institute and principal details.

Life membership is Rs. 1000 as a one-time fee. Associate membership is Rs. 500 and is valid for three years. Student membership is Rs. 300. The fee is paid by demand draft in favour of Karnataka Optometry Association, payable at Bangalore.

Fill the KOA membership form in block letters, pay the registration fee by demand draft, enclose the required attested documents and two photographs, and send the application in an A4 envelope to the present secretariat at Expert Optics, #12 Nehru Main Road, Yadava Layout, Kammanahalli, Bangalore 560084. To request the form, email or contact the secretariat.

KOA provides continuing education through conferences, CMEs, seminars and workshops, runs public-awareness campaigns such as UV Protection, Children's Vision, Good Vision for Life and World Optometry Day, protects members' professional interests, acts as a job centre for members, and helps members continue their professional education.

Email the secretariat at karnatakaoptometryassociation@gmail.com, or call the secretariat office on +91 78920 66548. The full address is C/o Optical Zone, 58 Ramanna Building, Behind Metro Station, Kannada Kasturi Road, 2nd Cross Road, Maheswari Nagar, T. Dasarahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560057.