Presently the quality of optometric services in Pakistan is very poor and trained manpower is scarce. Institutionalized training for optometrists, refractionists and ophthalmic technicians is non-existent. Refraction and contact lens work is taken up by some ophthalmologists and poorly trained optometrists. Some areas in optometry like low vision work and electro-diagnostics are entirely neglected. Only two percent population of the developed countries suffers from amblyopia (Lazy eyes, mostly due to neglected squints/ refractive errors). This figure is very high in Pakistan; being a developing country the problem is more severe. Examination of child’s eye is time consuming and generally requires dedicated personnel.
Blindness places an immense socioeconomic burden on the individual as well as the community. The annual cost of caring for the 2,136,00 bilaterally blind people in Pakistan has been estimated to be 38.5 billion Pakistani rupees.
Two third or more of all blindness is avoidable in that the contributing causes are preventable. World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) has taken the global initiative of eliminating avoidable blindness by the year 2020 under the Vision 2020 programme. In this programme the concept of Mid Level Eye Care Personnel (MLECP) has emerged as one of the most cost effective measures in both the establishment and strengthening of Comprehensive Eye Care (CEC)
Based on the experience of experts in Pakistan, it is realized that there is an urgent need to develop a cadre of optometrists and ophthalmic technologists, capable of managing optical shops, providing a basic orthoptic service and assisting in ophthalmic outpatients. It is strongly felt that such a course will not only serve to solve some of the awful staffing problems but also enhance the potentials of quality eye care delivery outlets. Currently there are no such graduate and postgraduate level programmes available for Pakistani students. Allama Iqbal Open University with help of local teaching hospitals is first to launch such a degree level programme.
This programme is splitted into following three stages:
- Diploma in Vision Sciences for Ophthalmic Technicians
- B.Sc Vision Sciences
- B.Sc Honours in Vision Sciences.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for admission in Diploma in Vision Sciences for Ophthalmic Technicians:
-
A candidate having HSSC in Pre-Medical or equivalent with at least second division
-
Candidates holding HSSC in Pre-Engineering, ICS and Family and Community Health will be required to complete pre requisite deficiency courses as prescribed by the university, for being eligible for admission in Diploma in Vision Sciences programme
-
Admission will be granted purely on merit. Preference will be given to candidates from backward areas and admission criteria for candidates of following areas would be relaxed upto 35% marks.
- Balochistan
- FATA
- FANA
- Remote areas of Interior Rural Sindh
Only selected candidates will be informed about their selection individually.
2nd year (B.Sc in Vision Sciences):
4th year (B.Sc Honors in Vision Sciences)
Duration and Credit requirement
Diploma in Vision Sciences for Ophthalmic Technicians |
| Duration |
Minimum two semesters (One year) |
| AIOU credit requirement |
Four full AIOU credits*
Total Teaching and Practical hours for each course (54 hrs)
|
B.Sc Vision Sciences |
| Duration |
Minimum Four semesters (Two year) |
| AIOU credit requirement |
Six full AIOU credits
Total Teaching and Practical hours for each course (54 hrs)
|
| Course work |
Two semesters |
| Internship |
Two semesters (One year) |
B.Sc Honors in Vision Sciences |
| Duration |
Minimum Two semesters (One year) |
| AIOU credit requirement |
Six full AIOU credits
Total Teaching and Practical hours for each course (54 hrs)
|
Scheme of Studies and Course Contents
| Diploma in Vision Sciences for Ophthalmic Technicians |
| Code No. |
Course Title |
Credit |
| 2424 |
Normal structure and function of the Eye |
Half Credit (H.C.) |
| 2425 |
Introduction to common diseases of the Eye |
Full Credit (F.C.) |
| 2426 |
Basic clinical skills |
H.C. |
| 2427 |
Basics of Community Ophthalmology |
H.C. |
| 2428 |
Introduction to skills in Visual functions |
H.C. |
| 0435 |
Functional English |
F.C |
| |
| B.Sc Vision Sciences |
| Code No. |
Course Title |
Credit |
| 2429 |
Physical optics and geometrical optics |
H.C. |
| 2430 |
Visual optics |
H.C. |
| 2431 |
Clinical refraction |
H.C. |
| 2432 |
Dispensing optics |
H.C. |
| 0494 |
Instruments optics |
H.C. |
| 0435/0418 |
Islamiat/Ethics |
H.C. |
| 2433 |
Orthoptics |
F.C. |
| 0498 |
Contact lenses |
H.C. |
| 0480 |
Low vision |
H.C. |
| 2434 |
Community optometry |
H.C. |
| 0417 |
Pak-studies |
H.C. |
| |
| B.Sc Honors in Vision Sciences |
B.Sc Honors in Vision Sciences is being offered with three specialties. These are
- B.Sc Honors in Vision Sciences with Optometry
- B.Sc Honors in Vision Sciences with Orthoptics
- B.Sc Honors in Vision Sciences with Ophthalmic Technology
|
1. B.Sc Honors in Vision Sciences with Optometry |
| Code No. |
Course Title |
Credit |
| 2435 |
Basics of vision and optics |
H.C. |
| 2436 |
Vision Sciences. 1,2,3,4 |
F.C. |
| 2437 |
Binocular vision and its clinical Application |
H.C. |
| 2438 |
Clinical optometry |
F.C. |
| 2439 |
Dispensing optics |
F.C. |
| 2440 |
Contact lenses |
H.C. |
| 2441 |
Specialism in Optometry, and Applied Statistics and Research methodology |
F.C. |
| 2442 |
Project |
F.C. |
| |
2. B.Sc Honors in Vision Sciences with Orthoptics |
| Code No. |
Course Title |
Credit |
| 2435 |
Basics of vision and optics |
H.C. |
| 2443 |
Vision Sciences. 1 |
H.C. |
| 2444 |
Vision Sciences 2,3 |
H.C. |
| 2445 |
Binocular vision |
H.C. |
| 2446 |
Binocular vision and its clinical Application |
F.C. |
| 2447 |
Clinical Orthoptics |
F.C. |
| 2449 |
Dispensing optics |
H.C. |
| 2448 |
Specialism in Orthoptics, and Applied Statistics And Research methodology |
H.C. |
| 2450 |
Project |
F.C. |
| |
|
|
3. B.Sc Honors in Vision Sciences with Ophthalmic Technology |
| Code No. |
Course Title |
Credit |
| 2451 |
Introduction to ophthalmic technology |
H.C. |
| 2452 |
Specialized diagnostic procedures-1 |
H.C. |
| 2453 |
Specialized diagnostic procedures-2 |
H.C. |
| 2454 |
Specialized diagnostic procedures-3 |
H.C. |
| 2455 |
Specialized diagnostic procedures-4 |
H.C. |
| 2456 |
Lasers in Ophthalmology |
H.C. |
| 2457 |
Ophthalmic microbiology |
F.C. |
| 2458 |
Eye banking |
H.C. |
| 2459 |
Biomedical engineering and applied Statistics and research methodology |
H.C. |
| 2460 |
Project |
F.C. |
Practical Training:
-
Diploma in Vision Sciences for Ophthalmic Technician:
For the ophthalmic technician-training course, the practical training would be carried out at the clinical department of the approved study centers and the stations specified for the training are;
- Outpatient department
- Inpatient care department
- Ophthalmic operation theatre
- Some community work
2. B.Sc Vision Sciences:
For the practical training, the students would be placed at the following stations of the clinical department;
- Refraction clinic
- Orthoptic clinic
- Low vision clinic
- Contact lens clinic
- Optical laboratory
Internship:
One year Internship would be done in approved institutions.
3. B.Sc Honors in Vision Sciences:
Regarding the practical training for the honors class, the students would be given practical training at the following clinical stations;
- Training for Optometry
- Refraction clinic
- Low vision clinic
- Contact lens clinic
- Optical lab
- Training for Orthoptics
- Refraction clinic
- Orthoptic clinic
- Training for Ophthalmic technology
- Outpatient department, Inpatient care department and Ophthalmic operation theatre
- Ophthalmic photography unit
- Ophthalmic angiography unit
- Unit for electro diagnostic tests
- Laser clinic
- Microbiology lab
- Eye bank
Fee Tariff
| Registration Fee once at the time of First admission |
Rs. 100 |
| Fee for Half Credit course |
Rs. 1515 |
| Fee for Full Credit course |
Rs. 3015 |
Certificate/ Degree for once at the time of first admission |
Rs. 250 |
| Internship Fee (For B.Sc Vision Sciences only) |
Rs.2000 |
| |
(Per semester) |
Enrollment
The University started this Unique programme in 1996 with the Nomenclature of B.Sc Primary Eye Care by enrolling a small group of 08 students at Rawalpindi/Islamabad only. After one year it was extended to Lahore Region as well. In 1998 its Nomenclature was revised as B.Sc Optometry and Ophthalmic Technology due to changing needs and trends in this field. Recently in consideration of WHO Vision –2000 policy which stresses on taking of appropriate measures to overcome avoidable blindness by year 2020, the programme has been revised accordingly and is now being offered in following three stages.
- Diploma in Vision Sciences for Ophthalmic Technicians
- B.Sc Vision Sciences
- B.Sc Honors in Vision Sciences.
The enrollment of the last three years is presented in this graph
View Graphs...
|
Alumni
| Initially few students were enrolled in 1996, which increased gradually with the emerging interest and trend in this field. So far 49 students have successfully accomplished their degrees. Graphical presentation is also shown.
View Graph... |
*One Half Credit=3hrs Teaching per week per course per semester
In case of practical 2 hrs for Teaching and 1hrs for practical
One Full Credit=6hrs Teaching per week per course per semester
In case of practical 4hrs for Teaching and 2hrs for practical
