Bachelor in Optometry

Bachelor in Optometry

Bachelors
·
4 years
Fee (Tentative)NPR 777,000

Entrance Exams

Offering Colleges (1)

Optometry education was started in 1998 to address Nepal's eye health professionals shortage. The bachelor of optometry (B. Optom) course started with a three-year program, which was upgraded to four years in 2005 AD. 

The goal of Tribhuvan University's Bachelor of Optometry (B Optom) program is to produce competent, community-oriented optometrists capable of providing vision care, identifying ocular and related systemic illnesses to be referred to medical practitioners, and maintaining the highest ethical standards of the profession.

Slit Lamp Examination
Slit Lamp Examination

The 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 management of patients with real visual problems.

Refraction Testing
Refraction Testing 

The graduates of the B Optom program will be able to provide primary eye health care in the field of visual and optical science, identify optometric complaints, measure visual functions, prescribe and fit appropriate visual aids, and plan community-based vision care services.

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):

  • History taking and physical examinations
  • Measuring visual functions
  • General as well as specific eye examinations
  • Correlating different structures and functions of human body
  • Assessing the ocular health and recognize ocular signs of systemic diseases
  • Prescribing and fitting appropriate visual aids
  • Referring patients for medical and ophthalmic consultations as appropriate
  • Undertaking independent scientific studies and critically analyze scientific literature
  • Updating his/her knowledge and skills in optometry
  • Planning and implementing community based vision care services

 

Eligibility

  • Must have studied Physics, Chemistry and Biology subjects from a recognized educational institution and passed with a minimum of 50% or 2.4 CGPA in the Proficiency Certificate Level or Grade 12 Science Group.

or

  • Students from A-level or other similar programs with different grading systems should have studied Physics, Chemistry and Biology subjects and passed with a minimum of 50 percent or 2.4 CGPA.

or

  • Proficiency Certificate Level / Diploma in Health Science (Ayurveda or Medical Lab Technology or Radiography or Physiotherapy or Pharmacy or Ophthalmic Science) with minimum 50% marks in aggregate (for applying in related academic program like BSc MLT from CMLT, B Pharm from Diploma in Pharmacy)

or

  • Proficiency Certificate/Diploma in Health Science (Medical Lab Technology or Ophthalmic Science or Dental Science or Pharmacy or Radiography or Ayurveda or Physiotherapy) with minimum 50% marks in aggregate and having studied Physics, Chemistry and Biology subject with minimum 50% in aggregate from National Examination Board Percent or 2.4 CGPA (CGPA) marks and obtained the equivalence of class 12th science group and should be registered in the concerned council.

Admission Criteria

Provisions for Admission Process

  1. In order to pass the integrated admission process, a minimum of 50 percentile should be obtained.

  2. One mark will be awarded for each correct answer and marks will be deducted at the rate of 0.25 for each wrong answer.

Candidates who have been successfully selected in the admission process will have to submit the following original and 1/1 photocopy of the following documents to the concerned educational institution at the time of admission.

  1. Certificate of qualification, Transcript and Character Certificate of 10+2 and SLC/SEE or Equivalent.

  2. Copy of Citizenship / Passport.

  3. Admit card of the Entrance Examination.

  4. Documents submitted for reservation.

  5. Certificate of Equivalence for the students with certificates from foreign institutions.

*Foreign candidates wishing to study in the vacated seat for foreign students must fill in the online application form mentioning the academic program of their choice within the time limit mentioned in this notice.

Provisions for B. Optometry Scholarships

Sub-Sections (4), (6), and (7) of Section 17 of the National Medical Education Act, 2018 and Section 20 of the National Medical Education Regulations 2020 has outlined this process about B. Optom Scholarships in Nepal. For details visit: 

Medical Education Scholarships Provision of the Government of Nepal

Scholarships to Study B. Optometry in Nepal

Entrance Examination Format

The entrance examination format for enrollment in the B. Optometry program at Maharajgunj Medical Campus and all the affiliated medical colleges under Tribhuvan University is MECEE-BL.  Read more about MECEE-BL here.

Job Prospects

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.

Curricular Structure

Bachelor in Optometry Curriculum Tribhuvan University

Year 1

  1. Basic concepts of basic sciences
  2. Basic concepts of optics and visual sciences
  3. Organ systems
  4. Ocular systems
  5. Visual science
  6. Optometric science
  7. Introduction to community health
  8. Foundation courses

Year 2

  1. Ocular diseases
  2. Optometry I
  3. Optometry II
  4. Ophthalmic optics I
  5. Advanced visual science
  6. Binocular vision I
  7. Contact lens I
  8. Low vision

Year 3

  1. Ophthalmic optics II
  2. Contact lens II and ocular prosthesis
  3. Binocular vision II
  4. Pediatric optometry
  5. Low vision II
  6. Geriatric optometry
  7. Community optometry
  8. Optometry project

Year 4

  1. Applied community optometry
  2. Clinical optometry practice
  3. Electives
  4. Evaluation
  5. Academic and administrative rules and regulations


Downloads

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