The Optometry/Science degree provides students with an understanding of the theoretical discipline of vision science and the clinical art of primary eye care. Vision science covers topics such as optics of lenses and instruments, the physiology of the eye, the psychophysics of vision and the neuroscience of the brain. Optometry includes the diagnosis and management of ocular disease, the dispensing of spectacles and contact lenses, the management of people with special needs (children, low vision), sports vision and vision in the workplace. The Bachelor of Optometry/Bachelor of Science degree is taken over five years, and when you’re finished you can become an accredited optometrist in Australia, New Zealand and most parts of Asia, offering great career opportunities. In your first year you’ll cover foundation sciences including physics, chemistry, mathematics and biology, as well as two vision science courses. Over your second and third years you will become more focused on vision science course such as physiology, pathology, pharmacology, ocular disease, advanced vision science and clinical examination of the eye.Years four and five begin your development as a practicing optometrist establishing your clinical skills in problem-solving and patient management, while introducing you to research. Specialised on campus clinics provide you with practical examination experience in areas such as contact lenses, colour vision, low vision rehabilitation, ocular photography, children’s vision assessment and ocular disease management. In your fifth year there will be the opportunity for external clinical experience, including a four week posting outside the University. On completion of your degree you are awarded a Bachelor of Optometry and Bachelor of Science.

Optometrist, Vision Scientist