Program Overview

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Introduction to the Doctor of Optometry Programme

The Doctor of Optometry (DOptom) programme is a professional doctorate that offers students the opportunity to broaden and deepen their clinical knowledge and skills by combining advanced courses of study with research in areas of professional significance and relevance. This programme is the first of its kind offered in Hong Kong, dedicated to advancing the knowledge and training of optometrists in selected optometry specialty areas.

Programme Aims and Characteristics

The DOptom programme strives to develop optometry leaders and to prepare practising optometrists to become experts and opinion leaders in their chosen specialty areas. It fosters the development of advanced clinical skills, critical analysis skills, and management expertise, and familiarises students with contemporary research methods used by optometry specialists.

The programmes aims are:

• to educate practising optometrists to become independent, competent, and evidence-based optometry specialists;
• to educate practising optometrists to incorporate the latest scientific and technological advances into their optometric services;
• to equip practising optometrists with the ability to conduct research and apply research findings in their chosen optometry specialty areas.

Recognition and Prospects

Since its establishment in 1978, the School of Optometry has been committed to advancing eye and vision research, providing professional knowledge transfer, and nurturing professional optometrists for Hong Kong and the region. The School is the sole provider of undergraduate and postgraduate education in optometry in Hong Kong.

In addition to providing high-quality teaching and professional training, the School strives for research excellence in the fields of myopia and the ageing eye. The School's research is highly regarded in the international academic community, particularly in myopia control, diabetic retinopathy, and corneal biometry.

Curriculum

The programme is composed of a 24-credit coursework component, a 24-credit research thesis component, and a 1-credit Academic Integrity and Ethics (AIE) component. The coursework component consists of 3 Compulsory Subjects (15 credits) and 3 Elective Subjects (9 credits).

Compulsory Subjects

• SO6001 Orthokeratology Principles and Management (6 credits)
• SO6002 Specialty Contact Lens Principles and Management (6 credits)
• HSS6011 Health Economics (3 credits)

Elective Subjects

• SO5001 Digital Health: Transforming Healthcare through Technology (3 credits)
• SO5009 Contemporary Myopia Control and Management (3 credits)
• SO6003 Applications of Innovative Ocular Therapeutics (3 credits)
• SO6004 Contemporary Amblyopia Treatments and Management (3 credits)
• SO6005 Ocular Misalignment and Visual Perception (3 credits)
• SO6006 Visual Neuroscience (3 credits)
• COMP5523 Computer Vision and Image Processing (3 credits)

Thesis

• SO6101 Thesis Stage I (6 credits)
• SO6102 Thesis Stage II (6 credits)
• SO6103 Thesis Stage III (6 credits)
• SO6104 Thesis Stage IV (6 credits)

AIE Subject

• HTI5T04 Academic Integrity and Ethics (Health and Social Sciences) (1 credit)

Credit Required for Graduation

To be eligible for the DOptom award, students are required to accumulate 49 credits, satisfy the Universitys National Education (NE) requirement, and have a grade point average of 2.7 or above at the end of the programme.

Programme Leader

Prof. Andrew Lam, PhD (Bradford), MPhil, PDip (Optom), FAAO

Entrance Requirements

• A Masters degree in optometry or equivalent;
• At least 3 years of full-time experience in optometry practice;
• Fulfil the English and General Requirements stipulated by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Additional Requirements for Application

• Transcript / Certificate
• Curriculum Vitae
• Personal Statement
• Research Proposal
• A proposed study plan
• Recommendation Letters (up to two from past or present employer(s)/research supervisor(s))
• A copy of a valid official score report for an IELTS or TOEFL result (if applicable)

Tuition Fee

HK$590,400 (i.e., HK$12,300 per credit x 48 credits) for local and non-local students. There is no tuition charge for the 1-credit AIE subject.

Programme Details

• Code: 52048
• Subcode: 52048-FTD-PTD
• Entry: Sept 2026 Entry
• Study Mode: Mixed Mode
• Duration: 2.5 years (Full-time), 5 years (Part-time)
• Fund Type: Self-Financed

Application Deadline

• Local - Mixed Mode: Sept 2026 Entry, Early Round and Main Round deadlines to be announced
• Non-local - Mixed Mode: Sept 2026 Entry, Early Round and Main Round deadlines to be announced

Merit-based Scholarships

Merit-based scholarships are available subject to conditions.

Financial Aid

The Extended Non-means-tested Loan Scheme (ENLS) provides loans to eligible students to cover the tuition fees of specific post-secondary/continuing and professional education courses studied in Hong Kong.