PROSPECTUS:

DT224 BSc (Hons) in Optometry

(D.I.T. Department of Optometry, School of Physics)

What is Optometry?

Optometrists (also known as Ophthalmic Opticians) are health care professionals who provide primary eye care services. This 4-year honours degree programme provides an education in the sciences associated with vision and their practical application to the examination and assessment of visual functions and correction of sight by spectacles and contact lenses. As an Optometrist, you are responsible for the detection of eye diseases that may require medical attention. Conditions such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis are often first detected by an Optometrist. The Optometry programme offered by DIT's Faculty of Science is the only Optometry course in the Republic of Ireland.

What will I do?

Optometry students are taught how to apply scientific knowledge in a modern, purpose built National Optometry Centre (N.O.C.) based at the D.I.T. Kevin Street, with state of the art facilities and equipment.

Students are trained to:

- Perform an eye examination to determine if a correction is required

- Chose suitable spectacle frames and lenses based on a detailed knowledge of a wide-range of optical appliances

- Fit contact lenses

- Identify eye related pathology so that a patient may be appropriately managed and referred if necessary

- Carry out specialised clinics in: Low Vision, Aged Vision, Paediatrics, Binocular Vision

- Use specialised ophthalmic diagnostic and imaging instrumentation

Programme Outline

The first year of the Optometry course focuses on the relevant science subjects necessary for optometric training. Clinical teaching commences in year 1 with Visual Science, which aims to equip the student with some of the core clinical skills necessary for the routine eye examination. The clinical training increases throughout the course and students carry out eye examinations and fit contact lenses under supervision in the National Optometry Centre clinic from the beginning of third year. Advanced specialised clinical skills such as low vision and paediatrics are taught in the 4th year of the course. Students at the beginning of 4th year spend a minimum period of 3 months (June-August) working in an Optometric practice under supervision (Students are responsible for their own upkeep during this period). This is designed to give the student workplace experience and skills, and to provide them with future employment prospects. This period may in future take place following graduation.

The BSc (Hons) degree programme summarised:

Award

BSc (Optometry) of the Dublin Institute of Technology with grades of Pass, Lower Second Class Honours, Upper Second Class Honours or First Class Honours.

After graduation, you are required to pass the clinical examinations run by the Association of Optometrists, Ireland. Success in these examinations earns you the qualification F.A.O.I. (Fellow of the Association of Optometrists, Ireland). This qualification allows you to register with the Irish Optician's Board as a fully qualified Optometrist to enable you to practice in your own right. Registration with the General Optical Council in the U.K. as an optometrist in Britain and Northern Ireland is possible for those registered with the Irish Optician's Board. Registration with the Association of Optometrists, UK, is also required for practice within the U.K. The U.S.A. and Canada do not accept Irish (or British) qualifications. This is due to American and Canadian optometrists having greater medical prescribing powers. An extra 18 months of study is necessary.

Career Opportunities

Graduates in Optometry can look forward to excellent career prospects, with a 100% employment record for recent graduates. The majority of newly qualified Optometrists work in established practices in Ireland. Some graduates chose to start their own practices. Other graduate have pursued higher research degrees (Masters and Doctoral degrees) through DIT and elsewhere. Opportunities also exist to undertake industrial research and to work in hospitals (usually abroad).

Application Information

1) The Central Applications Office (www.cao.ie) handle the applications for the programme- degree list, reference DT224

2) Minimum entrance requirements: 6 LC subjects, 2 HC3 one of which must be science related, 0B3 in Maths, 0D3 in

    English or Irish.

3) Other qualifications such as GCE and International Baccalaureate, may also be accepted if an equivalent standard is

    obtained.

4) Realistic entrance requirements: In 2007 the points cut-off was 500.

5) "Special category" applicants (e.g. those who are "mature", or who have third level qualifications) are given separate

    consideration by DIT, but application is made to the CAO in the usual way. Formal interviews are conducted for short-

    listed applicants.

6) The number of students to be admitted in 2007 is expected to be 25.

7) The above notes are intended for information only. Applicants are strongly advised to study the CAO handbook and the

    D.I.T Faculty of Science prospectus. Information on this Information sheet is subject to change.

8) All applicants are strongly advised to discuss the career of Optometry with a practising Optometrist. Before applying and

    accepting an offer of a place on the course.

For further information on this course, please contact:

Eva Doyle, Head of Department of Optometry

DIT Kevin Street, Dublin 8, Republic of Ireland

Email:Eva.Doyle@dit.ie

Telephone: +353 1 402 4751  Fax: +353 1 402 4915

Dr Veronica O'Dwyer, Lecturer, Department of Optometry,
DIT Kevin Street, Dublin 8, Republic of Ireland
E-mail:Veronica.ODwyer@dit.ie
Telephone: +353 1 402 4785 Fax: +353 1 402 4915

Please contact the D.I.T. Admissions Office for further information concerning study at D.I.T.