Bachelor in Optometry - Tribhuvan University

The education of optometry was started in 1998 to meet the shortage of eye health professionals in Nepal. Optometry is a health care profession that is autonomous, educated, regulated (licensed/ registered).

Bachelor in optometry (B. Optom) course was started with a three years program which was upgraded to four years in 2005 AD.

Bachelor in optometry (B. Optom) consists of studies in the basic physical and life sciences, the optometric sciences including optics, ocular anatomy and physiology, visual science, ophthalmic optics, ocular pathology and diseases of the eye and visual system.

The final year of the optometry course consists of a clinical training program where emphasis is placed on the clinical application of the studies in the first two years to the management of patients with real visual problems.

Goal of the program

To produce competent, compassionate and community oriented optometrically trained manpower who is capable of providing vision care, identify ocular and related systemic illness to be referred to medical practitioners.

Objectives of the program

General

To provide knowledge and develop practical skills in primary eye health care in the field of visual and optical science for high school graduates.

Specific

To develop skills in:

1. History taking and physical examinations

2. Measuring visual functions

3. General as well as specific eye examinations

4. Correlating different structures and functions of human body

5. Assessing the ocular health and recognize ocular signs of systemic diseases

6. Prescribing and fitting appropriate visual aids

7. Referring patients for medical and ophthalmic consultations as appropriate

8. Undertaking independent scientific studies and critically analyze scientific literatures

9. Updating his/ her knowledge and skills in optometry

10. Planning and implementing community based vision care services

Information for Online Application and Entrance Examination of IOM

1. Candidates who apply for MBBS can also apply for another ONE program from among BDS, B.Sc Nursing, B.Optom, B.Pharma, B.Sc MIT, B.Sc MLT, BAMS. Such candidates should fill in two separate forms for these two program with two different bank vouchers. Candidates who apply for BNS program can also apply for BPH Program. Such candidates should fill in two separate forms for these two programs with two different bank vouchers. However candidates who apply for BNS program will have to compulsorily choose the category and campus, which they are applying for.
2. The entrance exam will be of 100 marks (a single paper). Candidate should obtain the minimum 50% marks in order to pass the exams. Merit list of those who have passed the exams will be published according to marks obtained by candidates.
3. Candidates must use "Black Gel Pen" during entrance examination. Uses of pencils, white correction fluids "Tipex" etc are not allowed and marks will not be awarded if used. Candidates should select the correct answer by simply filling empty bubble completely with black gel pen. There is no provision of "negative marking".
4. Notice for Examination Centers and Results of Entrance Examination will be published in IOM's website and can also be accessed by mobile by sending SMS.
5. If any seats remain vacant in any category of BNS program, then the respective campuses will fill the seats by candidates from other categories of BNS according to merit list. If reserved quota seats remain vacant in BNS program, those seats will be filled by candidates who apply for paying quota. If the seats still remain vacant, the respective campus can call for application from candidates who passed the IOM entrance of BNS of any category and fill it on merit basis.
6. There is common entrance for B.Optom/B.Sc Nursing but candidates can only choose one program and this program should only be mentioned in their admission form during submission.
7. If any seats remain vacant in B.Optom program, then the vacant seats can be filled from other candidates who have passed the B.Sc Nursing and BDS programs according to merit list. If the seats still remain vacant then it can be filled from candidates who have passed MBBS program according to the merit list. However, if any seats remain vacant in B.Sc Nursing; such seats can be filled only by female candidates who have passed the B.Optom/BDS or MBBS program according to merit list.
8. If any seats remain vacant in BDS program, then the seats can be filled from candidates who have passed the MBBS program according to merit list.
9. If any seats remain vacant in any of the B.Pharm/BAMS academic program, then the vacant seats can be filled from the candidates who have passed the B.Optom/B.Sc nursing/BDS programs according to merit list. If the seats still remain vacant, then it can be filled from candidates who have passed MBBS program according to the merit list.
10. Electronic devices like Mobile, Calculator, Bluetooth, I-pad, tablet PC are strictly prohibited in the examination hall.
11. The decision of TU Institute of Medicine will be final in any disputed matter.

Seats:

1. Nepali Candidates: 6 seats
   
2. Foreign candidates: 2 seats
   

Eligibility:
Candidates having passed and secured fifty percent mark in the PCL General Science (I.Sc. or 10+2) program with biology and other prerequisite subjects OR in PCL Health Science (General Medicine or Ophthalmology) are eligible to apply for Bachelor in Optometry (B.Optom).

Entrance exam Module
The entrance examination will consist of a single paper with 100 multiple choice questions (MCQ) on Zoology (15), Botany (10), Chemistry (15), Physics (10), General Health (25) and specific subject (25). One mark is allocated to each MCQ. Each MCQ will have four options, of which the most appropriate answer is to be answered. There is no system of negative marking.
The full marks of the paper will be 100 and the duration of examination will be 2 hours. The pass marks is 50% (fifty per cent).

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Total Seats

Subjects for Entrance exam

7 (Seven Only)

Zoology: 15

Botany: 10

Chemistry: 15

Physics: 10

General Health: 25

Specific Subjects: 25

Optometrists are the primary health care practitioners of the eye and visual system who provides comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, detection/diagnosis and management of diseases in the eye, and rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system (World Council of Optometry).

Optometrists take care of the majority of the patients. Most patients with visual problems are well managed by optometrists and other patients having ocular diseases that need special care are referred to ophthalmologists and medical practitioners. Optometrists work mutually with other members of the eye care team such as ophthalmologists and ophthalmic assistants with a good understanding to provide quality services to the patients.

Bachelor in Optometry Curriculum Tribhuvan University

FIRST YEAR
	Full Marks
Subjects	Asst.	Final
Paper I Basic Concepts of Basic Sciences, Basic Concepts of Optics and Visual Science, Organ Systems Theory	30	120
Paper II Ocular Systems, Visual Science, Optometric Science	30	120
Paper III Introduction to Community Health Theory	20	80

SECOND YEAR
	Full Marks
Subjects	Asst.	Final
PAPER IV Ocular Disease Theory	20	80
PAPER V Optometry I, Optometry II, Ophthalmic Optics I Theory	30	120
PAPER VI Advanced Visual Science, Binocular Vision I Theory	20	80
PAPER VII Contact Lens I, Low Vision	20	80

THIRD YEAR
Subjects	Full Marks
	Asst.	Final
PAPER VIII Ophthalmic Optics II, Contact lens II & Ocular Prosthesis Theory	20	80
PAPER IX Binocular vision II, Paediatric Optometry	20	80
PAPER X Low Vision II, Geriatric Optometry, Community Optometry	30	120
PAPER XI Practical Paper	20	80

Duration of Course:

The course is for four Academic years. Outline of course description is given below:

I First year:

Basic concepts of basic sciences

Basic concept of optics and visual sciences

Organ system

Ocular system

Visual system

Optometric science

Introduction to community health

Foundation courses

II Second year:

Ocular diseases

Optometry I and II

Ophthalmic optics I

Advance visual science

Binocular vision I

Contact lens I

Low vision I

III Third year:

Ophthalmic optics II

Contact lens II and ocular prosthesis

Binocular vision II

Low vision II

Pediatric optometry

Geriatric optometry

Community optometry

IV Fourth year:

Applied community optometry

Optometry project

Clinical optometry practice

Elective posting

FOURTH YEAR
Subjects	Full Marks
	Asst.	Final
PAPER XII Applied Community Optometry, Optometry Project Theory	20	80
PAPER XIII Clinical Optometry Practice Theory	20	80
PAPER XIV Practical Paper	20	80

Downloads
Syllabus for NHPC Licensing Examination of Bachelor of Optometry (B.Optom) and Doctor of Optometry (OD).pdf