B.Sc (Hons) Optometry and Ophthalmic Techniques

The B.Sc. (Hons) in Optometry and Ophthalmic Techniques programme has been developed by School of Health Sciences in collaboration with the Federation of Ophthalmic Research and Education Centres (FOREC). A four year programme, it is aimed to develop a multipurpose ophthalmic manpower at paramedical level. The training will enable a student to become a competent person in providing service as an optician, optometrist, refractionist and ophthalmic assistance to the community in urban, semi-urban and rural setting private, semi-government and government sectors. The trainee on the completion of the programme, besides functioning primarily as a Optometrist and Refractionist and would also perform various tasks at all levels.

Objectives
* Prepare the students to assist eye specialists in big eye Opticians, Optometrists and as    Optometrists. Thereafter Assistants and Refractionists:

* Enable the students to get themselves self employed as Opticians, Optometrists and    Refractionists:

* Enable the students to estimate errors of refraction and be able to prescribe glasses:

* Enable the sudents to maintain ophthalmic appliances and instruments :

* Enable the students assess ocular motility disorders and prescribe adequate treatment    includeing eye ball exercises.

Academic Session
The Programme will commence from July of ever year.  The whole programme is divided into four years and consists of theory, practical and clinical components.

Admissions
The admissions will be made once a year. The candidates will be admitted after an advertisement all over the country in reputed newspapers (Hindi, English, and regional
languages ). The applications should be made on prescribed form so as to reach IGNOU before the due date.

Eligibility
The candidates should have passed class 10 + 2 examination of CBSE or equivalent with English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology with at least 45% marks in the aggregate. Age of Entry the candidate should have attained the age of 17 years on first November of the year of admissions. There is no maximum age limit.

Duration of the programme
The minimum duration of the programme is four years. However, the students are given a maximum period of six years to complete the programme from the date of registration, after which the students have to apply for readmissions paying the pro rata free for each incomplete course.

Medium of Instruction
Training (both theory and practical) will be provided in English. The students should write their examination English only

Selection Criteria
The minimum cut-off marks will be 45 % English, Physics, Chemistry and Biology (EPCB), in the 10+2 qualifying Examination. During the selection 90% weightage will be given to the EPCB marks and the remaining 10% will be based on the candidate's during interview/counseling. The interview/counseling will be held in IGNOU headquarters at School of Health Sciences . For interview/counseling, no TA/DA will be given, the students have to make their own arrangements regarding traveling and stay for the interview/counseling.

The candidates are advised to carefully select 3 of the proposed Programme Study Centres (PSCs) from the list provided (Appendix IV) and accordingly fill their preferences in the applications form.  The selection Committee will try to allot any other centre that is available, if necessary.

Programme Fees
Candidates seeking admission to B.Sc (Hons) in Optometry and Ophthalmic Techniques are advised not to pay the fees along with the filled-in application for, they will get a separate communication about their admission and for payment of course fee.

The fees payable include :
Rs. 18,000/- (Rupees eighteen thousand ) annually.

At the time of joining, and additional amount of RS. 5000/ will be required to be deposited with the institution concerned (PSC)/WC as security/ caution money which is refundable after the refund it at the end of the programme, on the the successful

Programme Delivery
The theoretical component would be provide by IGNOU. The practical and clinical training will be provided in the eye hospitals, eye centres, eye research centres and eye institues ( collectively refereed to as work centres). These are fully equipped clinics or centres, which provide outdoor patients facilioties, indoor and admission facilities and community services besides emergency services. Some of these also have fully equipped eye banks.

The programme Study Centres should have:
Fully equipped out-patient department with a provision of routine and specialized investigation in various centres. Fully equipped indoor wards with all available facilioties, An airconditioned operation theratre provided with modern and latest sophisticated instruments and an Emergency unit, well equiped with the resuscitation equipments. They should also have fully equipped workshop.

Courses
The programme is four years duration,. It is divided into 14 courses.

Syllabus