Program Overview

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Optometry (TU871)

Overview

Optometry is a regulated primary healthcare profession. Optometrists are often the first professional to be consulted when an eye problem presents. They check vision and prescribe and fit spectacles and contact lenses as needed. For children or adults with problems coordinating their eyes, optometrists carry out patching and other forms of vision therapy to help people develop and maintain binocular vision. Optometrists examine the eyes to detect diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. Systemic diseases like diabetes or hypertension can also be detected during the eye examination.

Course Details

Course Title

Bachelor of Science (Honours) Optometry

TU Code

TU871

CAO Point Range 2024

544−625

NFQ Level

Level 8

Award Type

Major

Award

Bachelor of Science (Honours)

ECTS Credits

270

Duration

4 years

Number of Places

32

Location

Grangegorman

What does the course involve?

The optometry course is a challenging and rewarding four-year honours bachelor degree. The first year focuses on science subjects necessary for optometric training. Clinical teaching begins in year 1 and increases in year 2 so that students are equipped with the core clinical skills necessary for a routine eye examination.

In years 3 and 4, students have hands-on clinical experience working with patients in our purpose-built clinic, the National Optometry Centre (NOC). The NOC is a state-of-the-art centre for the advanced training of optometry students and is the only facility of its kind in Ireland.

Expert clinicians and researchers supervise the student clinics. During these sessions, students learn to:

• Perform eye examinations to determine if spectacles are required
• Choose suitable spectacle frames and lenses
• Fit contact lenses
• Identify and manage eye-related diseases
• Carry out specialised clinics in low vision, paediatrics, and binocular vision
• Use specialised ophthalmic diagnostic and imaging instrumentation

Studying at TU Dublin will give you the theoretical knowledge, clinical skills, and patient experience necessary to be confident and competent starting a fulfilling career in optometry.

Work Placement

At the end of Year 4, there is a five-month practice placement where students work under supervision in a high street optometry practice.

Professional Accreditation

The optometry programme is approved by CORU (the Health and Social Care Professionals Council), Ireland's multi-profession health regulator. Upon successful completion of the honours degree, you will be eligible to register as an optometrist with CORU.

Equipment Requirements

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

Minimum Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate Requirements

• Minimum Number of Subjects: 6
• Minimum Grade in Maths: O3/H7
• Minimum Grade in English OR Irish: O6/H7
• Other Grade Requirements: At Least H4 in one of: Physics, Chemistry, Physics and Chemistry, or Biology

QQI/FET Requirements

• QQI/FET Award Required: Level 5: CASLT / 5M3807 Laboratory Techniques or CASFX / 5M5267 Food Science
• Additional Requirements: Distinctions required in 6 subjects, including C20139 / 5N1833 Mathematics or Leaving Certificate Mathematics O3/H7

Mature Applicants

Applications from mature students (23+) are welcome.

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this course should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6.5 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.

Garda Vetting

Garda Vetting required through TU Dublin.

Additional Requirements/Information

Additionally, as this course involves interaction with patients in the provision of healthcare/eyecare, students should have the capacity to perform key skills and tasks so as to be able to succeed in this programme and practice in the profession.

All Optometry and Ophthalmic Dispensing undergraduates are required to insert drops, contact lenses, and probes (with ocular anaesthetic) into fellow students' eyes and allow fellow students to insert the same into their eyes during the course of their course. All procedures will be carried out in a safe, clean, clinical environment under the supervision of an optometry faculty member.

Sample Timetable

Click on the link below to view an indicative timetable for this course. Timetables are subject to change, and up-to-date timetables will be provided to students on commencement.

What are my career opportunities?

A qualification in optometry offers a diverse career pathway. Optometrists are autonomous healthcare practitioners who can work independently or collaboratively in a healthcare team. Optometrists work in high street practices, hospitals, primary healthcare teams, research, and teaching. There are opportunities to specialise and gain higher qualifications in areas such as paediatrics, contact lenses, glaucoma care, and low vision management.

Employment rates for newly qualified optometrists are typically 100%.

Module Listing

Year One

• Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye [Mandatory]
• Cell Biology [Mandatory]
• Geometrical Optics [Mandatory]
• Introduction to Chemistry [Mandatory]
• Mathematics for Optical Professions [Mandatory]
• Physics for Health Science [Mandatory]
• Visual Science [Mandatory]

Year Two

• Histology, Anatomy & Physiology [Mandatory]
• Introduction to Chemistry [Mandatory]
• Visual Science [Mandatory]
• Ophthalmic Optics and Dispensing [Mandatory]
• Anatomy and Physiology of the Eye [Mandatory]
• Physical Optics [Mandatory]
• Physics for Health Science [Mandatory]

Year Three

• Physiological Biochemistry [Mandatory]
• Medical Physiology [Mandatory]
• Experimental Statistics [Mandatory]
• Clinical Optometry [Mandatory]
• Contact Lens Practice 1 [Mandatory]
• Optical Dispensing 1 [Mandatory]
• Binocular Vision 1 [Elective]

Year Four

• Professional Studies and Intercultural Health Communication for Eye Care Professionals [Mandatory]
• Primary Eyecare Clinic 1 [Mandatory]
• Investigative Clinical Techniques [Mandatory]
• Contact Lens Practice 2 [Mandatory]
• Binocular Vision 2 [Mandatory]
• Diseases of the Eye [Mandatory]
• Ocular and General Pharmacology [Mandatory]
• Physiology of Vision 2 [Mandatory]

Progression

On graduation from this Level 8 programme, you may proceed to postgraduate studies leading to the award of MSc, MPhil, or PhD at research institutes and universities worldwide.