Yes, I find that odd too.  Admission into optometry is obviously quite
competitive around here.

The answer, in essence, is that Optometry is a uniquely "American"
profession, at least back in its infancy.  Ophthalmology dates back to
the earliest days of the medical profession, as ray diagrams and
spectacle lenses were among the works of Da Vinci.  According to the
the classic text  "The Optometric Profession" by Hirsch & Wick
(1968), the profession of optometry in the US started in 1901, and the
first practicing optometrists were recognized as "optometrists" after
completing a two week course.  The course of study grew in just 65
years from 2 weeks to 6 months, then one year, then two years, then
three, then four, then 5, then six...and in most states it is now
eight.  The optometric craft that was practiced by refracting opticians
in Euroipe became a profession when it came to the states.

To read a 40 year old text like Hirsch & Wicks is like opening  a
fascinating time capsule that can't help but make the reader reflect on
the fundamental differences in philosophy that are taught to
ophthalmology residents versus optometry students.   But, that's a lot
of other threads, eh?  ;)

Well, the population ratio between Canada and the US is about 1:10 I think
(?).  If that's true then the per capita ratios are about the same.  If only
one of the two schools in Canada is english speaking, then perhaps that
throws the ratio off some.

Admission to optometry schools in the US is quite competitive as well.

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