Program Overview

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Optometrists (Ophthalmic Opticians) are healthcare professionals who provide primary eye care services. They carry out eye examinations to diagnose vision defects, including myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, presbyopia and prescribe spectacles.

The optometrist’s eye examination will detect eye diseases such as cataract, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration, as well as ocular signs of systemic conditions such as multiple sclerosis, high blood pressure and diabetes. Patients are referred to doctors by optometrists if medical attention is required. Optometrists in Ireland do not treat eye disease, which is done by medical professionals.

The first year of this course focuses on science subjects necessary for optometric training. Clinical teaching begins in Year 1 with Vision Science, which will equip you with some of the core clinical skills necessary for a routine eye examination. The clinical training increases throughout the course.

In Years 3 and 4, you’ll learn how to apply your scientific knowledge in a modern, purpose-built clinic, the National Optometry Centre (NOC), using state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.

You’ll learn to:

Perform an eye examination to determine if spectacles are required

Choose suitable spectacle frames and lenses

Fit contact lenses

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

Carry out specialised clinics in Low Vision, Aged Vision, Paediatrics and Binocular Vision and use specialised ophthalmic diagnostic and imaging instrumentation.

Contact Hours:

This is a full-time course. Students should expect to be on campus up to 5 days per week. The average number of contact hours per week is approximately 24.

Work Placement

At the end of Year 4, you’ll spend five months (Jan-May) working in an optometric practice under supervision which will give you workplace experience and skills and enhance your employment prospects.

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Professional Accreditation

Upon successful completion of the programme you will be eligible to register as an Optometrist with CORU (the Health and Social Care Professionals Council). You may also apply for membership of the Association of Optometrists Ireland (Optometry Ireland).

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Equipment Requirements

Students will be required to purchase diagnostic eye examination sets (retinoscope, ophthalmoscope, Volk lens) in Year 2.