DIPLOMA IN OPTOMETRY

UNIT 1: Fundamentals of Optometry & Ocular Anatomy

Theory

• Introduction to Optometry and vision care
• History, scope and role of an optometry professional
• Anatomy of the eye and adnexa
• Physiology of vision
• Cornea, sclera, conjunctiva and anterior chamber
• Lens, retina and optic nerve
• Visual pathway
• Basic ophthalmic terminology

Practical

• Identification of ocular structures using models and charts
• Basic patient communication
• Taking basic case history under supervision
• Patient identification and documentation
• Introduction to optometric clinical workflow

UNIT 2: Geometrical Optics & Ophthalmic Optics

Theory

• Fundamentals of light
• Reflection and refraction
• Mirrors and lenses
• Spherical and cylindrical lenses
• Lens power and focal length
• Prisms and their applications
• Optical aberrations
• Introduction to ophthalmic optics

Practical

• Identification of optical lenses
• Measurement of lens power
• Use of lensometer
• Lens and prism demonstrations
• Basic optical calculations
• Lens identification and documentation

UNIT 3: Visual Acuity & Preliminary Eye Examination

Theory

• Principles of visual acuity
• Distance and near vision
• Snellen and LogMAR charts
• Pinhole testing
• Colour vision
• Contrast sensitivity
• Pupillary assessment
• Ocular motility and basic alignment

Practical

• Distance visual-acuity testing
• Near-vision testing
• Pinhole test
• Colour-vision assessment
• Contrast-sensitivity demonstration
• Pupil assessment
• Basic ocular-motility assessment
• Recording and documenting findings

UNIT 4: Refraction & Refractive Errors

Theory

• Principles of refraction
• Myopia
• Hypermetropia
• Astigmatism
• Presbyopia
• Accommodation and convergence
• Subjective refraction
• Objective refraction
• Retinoscopy
• Trial-frame techniques

Practical

• Trial-frame preparation
• Trial-lens arrangement
• Objective refraction demonstration
• Retinoscopy practice under supervision
• Subjective-refraction procedure under supervision
• Near-vision assessment
• Basic prescription recording

UNIT 5: Ophthalmic Instruments & Eye Examination

Theory

• Principles of ophthalmic examination
• Slit-lamp biomicroscope
• Direct and indirect ophthalmoscope
• Tonometer
• Keratometer
• Lensometer
• Ophthalmic imaging equipment
• Instrument maintenance and safety

Practical

• Identification of ophthalmic instruments
• Instrument setup
• Slit-lamp examination
• Ophthalmoscope handling
• Tonometry demonstration
• Keratometry
• Lensometry
• Basic equipment cleaning and maintenance

UNIT 6: Binocular Vision & Orthoptics

Theory

• Fundamentals of binocular vision
• Accommodation and convergence
• Ocular alignment
• Eye movements
• Binocular vision disorders
• Strabismus and amblyopia awareness
• Basic stereopsis
• Introduction to orthoptic assessment

Practical

• Ocular alignment observation
• Cover and uncover test demonstration
• Near-point assessment
• Accommodation and convergence exercises
• Stereopsis testing
• Basic binocular-vision assessment
• Recording observations

UNIT 7: Contact Lenses & Dispensing Optics

Theory

• Introduction to contact lenses
• Types and materials of contact lenses
• Soft and rigid contact lenses
• Contact-lens indications and contraindications awareness
• Lens fitting principles
• Contact-lens hygiene and care
• Spectacle frames and lens types
• Optical dispensing principles

Practical

• Contact-lens identification
• Contact-lens handling and hygiene
• Lens-care instruction
• Basic fitting workflow demonstration
• Spectacle-frame identification
• Lens selection based on basic prescriptions
• Lensometer verification
• Patient counselling

UNIT 8: Common Eye Conditions & Low-Vision Care

Theory

• Common ocular conditions
• Cataract
• Glaucoma
• Conjunctivitis
• Corneal disorders
• Retinal disorders
• Diabetic eye disease awareness
• Age-related eye conditions
• Introduction to low vision
• Low-vision aids and rehabilitation

Practical

• Recognition of common findings under supervision
• Basic patient history documentation
• Low-vision assessment awareness
• Identification of low-vision aids
• Demonstration of magnifiers and other aids
• Patient education
• Referral and escalation procedures

UNIT 9: Community Optometry, Patient Care & Professional Practice

Theory

• Community eye care
• Preventive eye-care awareness
• Vision screening principles
• Eye health education
• Patient counselling
• Infection prevention and control
• Clinical documentation
• Professional ethics and communication
• Optical practice management
• Referral principles

Practical

• Vision-screening activities under supervision
• Community eye-care awareness programme
• Patient counselling
• Infection-control procedures
• Record and register maintenance
• Basic optical dispensing workflow
• Referral documentation
• Professional communication exercises

UNIT 10: Integrated Optometry Clinical Practicum

Theory

• Complete optometric examination workflow
• Patient history and case documentation
• Visual-acuity assessment
• Refraction workflow
• Binocular-vision assessment
• Contact-lens and optical-dispensing workflow
• Basic ocular-health screening
• Low-vision support
• Clinical safety and professional responsibilities

Practical

• Complete preliminary eye examination
• Visual-acuity assessment
• Objective and subjective refraction under supervision
• Retinoscopy
• Keratometry
• Lensometry
• Binocular-vision assessment
• Basic ocular-health screening
• Contact-lens handling
• Optical dispensing practice
• Patient counselling
• Clinical documentation
• Supervised optometry practicum

FINAL PROJECT

Comprehensive Optometric Examination & Vision-Care Project

Students will complete a supervised case-based project demonstrating a complete optometric workflow.

Project Components

1. Selection of an approved case
2. Patient history and occupational/visual history
3. Visual-acuity assessment
4. Pinhole and colour-vision testing
5. Objective and subjective refraction under supervision
6. Basic binocular-vision assessment
7. Appropriate instrument selection
8. Basic ocular-health screening according to scope
9. Optical/contact-lens recommendations within training scope
10. Patient counselling and eye-care education
11. Referral awareness where findings require further clinical evaluation
12. Complete documentation and case report

Project Deliverables

• Project proposal
• Patient case history
• Visual-assessment records
• Refraction record
• Binocular-vision assessment
• Instrument/equipment checklist
• Sample optical prescription documentation
• Patient counselling material
• Clinical logbook
• Final project report
• Practical demonstration
• Presentation and viva

Final Practical: Demonstrate a complete supervised optometry workflow from patient history and visual assessment through refraction, basic binocular assessment, documentation and patient counselling.