B.Sc.

Optometry
Curriculum
What is Optometry?

Optometry is a “Primary Eye Care Science” which covers the examination of

human eye, Contact Lens, Orthoptics, Systems required for estimation of errors
of refraction, the fitting, manufacturing and supply of optical aids

Why choose Optometry?

Quality of life, professional status, self-employment opportunities, and good
monetary compensation were just a few of the reason Kiplinger’s named the
profession of Optometry as “One of the top 7 Great Careers.” Additional the Job
Rated Almanac (6th Edition) ranked the Optometric Profession in the upper
twelfth percentile of top-ranked jobs.

Eligibility for Optometry?

The candidates must have obtained a 50% marks taken together in English,
Physics, Chemistry, Biology / Mathematics in the higher secondary examination
that is equivalent to 10 + 2. The candidates who have completed their 2 / 3 years
diploma in optometry can take admission directly in the second year of BSc
Optometry.

Age Criteria:
By 31st December of the year of admission, the candidate must complete a
minimum age of 17 years.

Optometric Education:
Optometry must complete four years of graduate education (3years of
academics and 1 year of internship) at Indian accredited College or School of
Optometry.
Career Options after completion of Optometry: -
 Independent Practice as an Optometrist
 Start own specialty clinic like contact lenses, Computer vision, Orthoptics.
 Start an optical establishment/ store for scientific dispensing of visual aids.
 Start manufacturing unit to make ophthalmic lenses/ spectacle lenses
 Job opportunities with multinational eye care companies like Bausch & Lomb,
Essilor, Zeiss, Ciba Vision, AMO, etc.
 Avail overseas job opportunities.
 For those interested in higher studies, post-graduation in the form of
fellowships as well as Masters & PhD programs are available in India &
overseas.
 Take up teaching as a career option
 Take jobs with corporate & private hospitals, NGOs.
 Administrative Career after MBA in Ophthalmic Practice.
Title of the program Bachelor of Science in
Optometry
Duration Three years of Academic
program and One
year of internship
Mode of study Full Time program
 B.SC. OPTOMETRY DEGREE COURSE
Section 1
Introduction
The B.Sc. OPTOMETRY degree course is a four-year degree programme which
includes one year internship where much emphasis will be given in hands on
training. This programme is designed to train students to become competent in
the techniques of optometry, to work in evaluating and managing ophthalmic
disorders.

WORLD COUNCIL OF OPTOMETRY’S concept of Optometry:

“Optometry is a health care profession that is autonomous, educated and
regulated (licensed/registered), and optometrists are the primary healthcare
practitioners of the eye and visual system who provide comprehensive eye and
vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, detection/diagnosis and
management of ocular problems, and the rehabilitation of conditions of the
visual system.”
 Regulations for B.Sc. Optometry Course
Eligibility for Admission, Duration, Attendance

1.ELIGIBILITY

1.1 Qualifying Examination

A candidate desiring to join the four-year programme leading to the B.Sc.
Optometry degree a. should have passed the two-year Pre-University
examination conducted by Department of Pre-University Education, Karnataka
State with English as one of the subjects and Physics, Chemistry, Biology /
Maths as optional subjects. The candidate shall have passed the subjects of
English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology / Maths individually also.
OR
b. Shall have passed any other examination conducted by
Boards/Councils/Intermediate examination established by State
Governments/Central Government and recognized as equivalent to two-year
Pre-University examination with English as one of the subjects and Physics,
Chemistry and Biology as optional Subjects and the candidate shall have passed
subjects of English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology / Maths individually also.
c. Shall have passed Intermediate examination in Science of an Indian
University/Board/Council or other recognized examining bodies with Physics,
Chemistry and Biology, which shall include a practical test in these subjects and
also English as compulsory subject. The candidate shall have passed subjects of
English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology / Maths individually also.
d. Shall have passed first year of the three-year degree course of a recognized
University with Physics, Chemistry and Biology including a practical test in
these subjects provided the examination is an ‘University Examination’
provided that the candidate shall have passed subjects of English, Physics,
Chemistry, Biology / Maths individually in the pre university or other
examinations mentioned in the clauses above.
1.2 Age:
A candidate should have completed the age of 17 years as on 31st December of
the year of admission.

1.3 Selection
Selection of the candidates should be based on the merit in the entrance
examination held by the University or competent authority.

2. DURATION OF THE COURSE

The student shall undergo a period of certified study extending over 3 academic
years from the date of commencement of his study for the subject comprising
the prescribed curriculum to the date of completion of the examination followed
by one year compulsory Internship, Project exams at end of 4th year.

3. ATTENDANCE
Every candidate should have attendance not less than 75% of the total classes
conducted in theory and practical’s separately in each year calculated from the
date of commencement of the term to the last working day as notified by the
institute in each of the subjects prescribed to the eligible to appear for the
university examination.
A candidate pursuing the course shall study in the college for the entire period
as a full-time student. No candidate should join any other course of study or
appear for any other examination conducted by any other university in India or
abroad during the period of registration. A candidate lacking in the prescribed
attendance should not be permitted to appear for the examination in that
subject(s)

4. MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION
 English shall be the medium of instruction for all subjects of study and for
examinations.
5.TEACHING HOURS
1st year
Subjects Method/No. of hours
Theory Prcaticals
General anatomy & physiology 90 40
Basic biochemistry & nutrition 70 30
Ocular anatomy, physiology, & 90 40
biochemistry
Physical optics, geometric optics & 180 70
principles of lighting
Computer basics 40 40
English & communication 30 -
Kannada 30 -
Basic accountancy 30 -

2nd year
Subjects Method/No. of hours
Theory Prcaticals
Optometric optics & dispensing 120 100
optometry
CEVS & optometric instruments 120 100
Visual optics 90 60
Microbiology, pathology, & 60 40
Pharmacology
Medical psychology 20 -
Clinics - 270

3rd year
Subjects Method/No. of hours
Theory Prcaticals
Contact lenses 60 60
Systemic & ocular disease 90 70
Occupational optometry & law in 50 30
optometry
Research methodology & 50 -
biostatistics
Paediatric optometry & Binocular 90 80
vision
Low vision aids & geriatric 30 30
optometry
Clinics & speciality clinics - 270
4th year
Project and Internship 6 months each

SCHEME OF EXAMINATION
6 Regular Assessment
Regular periodic assessment shall be conducted throughout the course.
These are internal examination subject for which no university assessment
would be made.
7. University Examination
Subjects and Distribution of Marks Non- University Examination:
Bachelors in Optometry University Examination – Subjects and Distribution of
Marks
7.1
1st Year Examination
Subject University Examination Total
Theory Internal Practical Viva

Basic Biochemistry & 80 20 - - 100

Nutrition
40 10 100
General Anatomy (sec A)
General physiology (sec B)
40 10
80 20 - - 100
Ocular Anatomy, ocular Physiology &
Ocular biochemistry
40 10 80 20 200
Physical & Principles of Lighting (sec
A) Geometric Optics (sec B) 40 10
 2nd year examination
Subject University Examination Total
Theory Internal Practical Viva
Optometric Optics & Dispensing 80 20 - - 100
Optometry
Visual Optics 80 20 - - 100
CEVS & Optometric instruments 80 20 - - 100
Microbiology, Pathology (sec A) 40 10 - - 100

Pharmacology (sec B)
40 10
Clinical practical examination - 80 20 100

3rd year examination

Subject University Examination Total
Theory Internal Practical Viva
Low Vision Aids & Geriatric 80 20 - - 100
Optometry
Contact Lens 80 20 - - 100
Research Methodology & Statistics 80 20 100
Systemic diseases (sec A) 40 10 - - 100
Ocular Diseases (sec B) 40 10
Practice Management & law in 40 10 - - 100
optometry
(sec A) Occupational 40 10
Optometry (sec B)
Pediatric Optometry, Binocular vision 80 20 - - 100
& Advances in Optometry
Clinics & Specialties - 160 40 200

4th year
Subject University Examination Total
Theory Internal Practical Viva Voce
Project 80 20 100
 7. Eligibility for Examination
To be eligible to appear for university examination a candidate
a. Should have undergone satisfactorily the approved course of
study in the subject(s) for the prescribed duration.
b. Should have attended at least 80% of the total number of
classes in theory and practical to become eligible to appear
for the examination in those subjects.
8. Criteria for pass
For declaration of pass in any subject in the university examination, a
candidate shall pass both in theory and practical/clinical examination
components separately as stipulated below:
 The theory comprises of marks obtained in the University
written paper. For a pass in theory, a candidate shall secure not
less than 50%. For a pass in practical/clinical examination, a
candidate shall secure not less than 50%, marks in aggregate,
i.e., marks obtained in university practical/clinical examination
and viva added together.
 A candidate not securing 50% marks in aggregate in Theory or
Practical/Clinical examination in a subject would be declared to
have failed in that subject and is required to appear for both
Theory and Practical/Clinical again in the subsequent
examination in that subject.
Degree would be awarded after passing all examination and
completing the one- y e a r internship.
 CLINICS AND SPECIAL CLINICS

No. of practical hrs. : 270

1. Case sheet

2. History taking

3. Lensometry

4. Visual acuity

5. Tests for phorias and tropias

6. External examination

7. Slit lamp examination

8. Drugs and method of application

9. Dos and don’ts – Pupillary dilatation

10. Direct ophthalmoscopy

11. Indirect ophthalmoscopy

12. Instrumentation

13. Patients selection

14. Keratometry reading

15. Refraction

16. Fluorescein pattern

17. Over refraction

18. Fitting of hard lenses

19. Rigid gas permeable lenses and soft lenses in refractive errors and
in specialized condition

The students are made to observe the internees initially, then gradually
they are encouraged to work up a patient and perform various
examination techniques.

4TH YEAR

• PROJECT WORK

• CLINICAL INTERNSHIP
 LEARNING AND TEACHING STRATEGY

The curriculum is made in a way that it supports the development of

professional skills as well as behaviours of an individual that helps them
to deliver a comprehensive primary eye care to the needy.

The curriculum has 4 Major phases

(First year Optometry)

The emphasis of learning is understanding & analysis of the basic

sciences, philosophies, theories & skills required to develop
professionally and academically. This theory oriented first year ensures
a sound scientific foundation for the upcoming years.

(Second year Optometry)

The curriculum arranged in this part allows the students to apply the
basic science knowledge procured from phase-I in the Optometry topics.
The introductory clinical posting in the ophthalmic outpatient
department helps them to understand and learn the primary eye care
procedures.

(Third year Optometry)

As the curriculum concentrates more on optometric patient evaluation

and management, the focus is to refine the student’s clinical and
application skills to make him/her an Optometrist. The student will learn
about the diagnostic approaches and management of various ocular
disorders, binocular vision anomalies, assessment and dispensing of
contact lenses and Low vision aids.

(Fourth year Optometry – Internship)

This one-year internship program is designed to facilitate the transition

from student hood to a competent optometrist.

The learning and teaching process shall include:

 Lectures

 Practical demonstration

 Projects & Assignments

 Seminars

 Case discussions

 Clinical teaching

 Industrial visits
CLINICAL POSTINGS

Aim: To enable the students to learn the Optometric examination

procedures, clinical assessment skills and management techniques which
helps them to become a competent clinician.

Description: The students will be posted in the eye care setup on a

rotatory basis under the supervision of experienced clinical supervisors.

Clinical Posting – 2nd Year:

At the end of second year clinical postings, the students will be

performing History recording (Ocular and systemic – of relevance),
Visual acuity assessment and documentation (Adults & Infants),
Objective and subjective refraction, Spectacle prescription, Dispensing
of various types of lenses and frames, Lensometry, Keratometry,
demonstrating the slit lamp illumination techniques, colour vision
assessment, Do’s and Don’ts of pupillary dilatation, Gross ophthalmic
examination etc under experienced clinical supervisors.

Clinical Posting – 3rd year:

By the completion of 3rd year clinical posting, the students will be able
to perform the following under experienced clinical supervisors.

 Optometric workup to detect the ocular disorders (Ocular &

relevant systemic history, Visual acuity assessment and refraction, Slit
lamp examination, applanation Tonometry, fundus evaluation)

 Contact lens workup

 Low vision workup

 Orthoptic workup

Clinical Postings – Internship – 4th year:

Successful completion of the internship program will facilitate the

students to become competent independent Optometrist. The student
will be proficient in

 Complete Optometric workup including diagnosis and

management

Contact lens workup including dispensing

Low vision workup, dispensing of aids and counselling

Orthoptic workup and non-surgical management

Detection of ocular diseases and referral to specialists at the

appropriate stage

Managing an optical outlet/clinic of his/her own.

Screening of Ocular disorders in community outreach programmes

like Camps, School screening etc.

Utilizing the latest technology in the diagnosis of ocular anomalies

including visual field devices, Gonioscopy, imaging technology
including ultrasound and retinal imaging techniques, corneal topography
including ORBSCAN, Electrophysiology, etc