Doctor of Optometry

Program Mission: 
Prepares qualified and competent primary eye care graduates who support national and global efforts to overcome blindness and visual impairment, provide comprehensive eye care to the community, and conduct innovative applied research to boost sustainable national development.

Program Goals: 
1- Provide high-quality optometric education which will prepare graduates to provide excellent optometric services in an ethical and professional manner. 
2- Engage actively in community services in collaboration with governmental and non-profit organizations to prevent blindness and raise awareness about eye health and vision care.
3- Conduct scientific research and train students to be vision science researchers and innovators to promote eye health care.

Knowledge and Understanding:
K1- Describe the anatomy and physiology of the basic organ system, the cellular, the molecular and genetic basis of the development, with special emphasis on the ocular and visual system, and their relationship to the body as a whole.
K2- Define the structure and process contributing to the development of refractive error and other optical and perceptual abnormalities of the visual system.
K3- Recognize the various causes that lead to the development of dysfunction and diseases for major organ systems with special emphasis on the ocular and visual system.
K4- Describe the optics of the eye and ophthalmic lens system (including spectacles, contact lenses and low vision devices) used to correct refractivity, oculomotor, and other vision disorders.
K5- Discuss the mechanism of action of the various classes of pharmaceutical agents, their interaction and their safe and effective use for the treatment of diseases and conditions affecting the eye and visual system.
K6- Identify the concept, principle, and procedure of vision therapy and other rehabilitative methods used for the management of common visual disorders with respect of the psychological dynamic of doctor and patient relationship, social, psychological and economic forces affecting the diverse patient population.

Skills:
S1- Diagnose, triage, manage and treat common visual conditions including or resulting
from:
- Refractive error
- Abnormalities of accommodation, monocular or binocular vision skills,
oculomotor and sensory perceptual dysfunctions
- Ocular diseases and trauma.
- Pre and post ocular surgery and laser intervention
- Systemic disease.
- Environmental or occupational conditions.
S2- Order and interpret the frequently needed laboratory and diagnostic procedures
S3- Assess the patient’s visual and physical status and interpret the data to diagnose, formulate and execute an effective management plan
S4- Recognize life-threatening and sight-threatening conditions to initiate immediate intervention.
S5- Prescribe and use ophthalmic material, contact lenses, vision therapy, low-vision devices, pharmaceuticals and certain ophthalmic procedures to treat and manage vision disorders and diseases.
S6- Use effective communication skills both written and oral as appropriate for maximizing successful patient care outcomes.

Values, Autonomy, and Responsibility:
V1- Commitment to work as an integral member of the large inter professional health care team to improve patient care outcomes. 
V2- Mange the practice in manner that appropriate within the healthcare delivery system according to code of ethics.