Optometry is the primary eye care profession dedicated for care of the most treasured of human senses – Vision. It is a dynamic health care profession which provides a wide range of interesting, rewarding and challenging career opportunities. The profession provides an intellectually stimulating career with a humanitarian role in today’s society.

Through academic and clinical training, optometrist acquire knowledge and skills needed to diagnose and prevent problems of the visual system. Providing health education, managing preventive regimen, supplying vision care to special group of patients are all part of an optometrist’s work. They must recognize ocular and visual signs of disease, understand the wide range of eye problems affecting patients and refer patients to a specialist if need be. Public health activities include vision screening for communities, industry and schools.

School of Optometry
The School of Optometry, recognizing the need for qualified Optometrist, will be offering courses leading to the degree of Bachelor of Optometry on a twinning basis with Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani India. Additionally, the School will also be offering a Post Graduate course in Optometry jointly with the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO), Philadelphia, USA leading to a degree of Master in Clinical Optometry. Periodically, short courses will be made available to update practicing Optometrists.

Bachelor of Science in Optometry
The School of Optometry follows the recommendations of the Malaysian Optical Council and the World Council of Optometry. The B.S Optometry programme is of 4 year's duration conducted in The National Institute of Ophthalmology (Academic Arm of The Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital, Malaysia) in collaboration with The Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, India. The degree is internationally recognized. The first 3 years consist of theoretical course studies and laboratory work. The final year comprises of clinical internship at Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital (THONEH), including clinical postings in the various subspecialities of eye care.

Each year is divided into two semesters and covers a variety of subjects. These include ocular anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, physical and geometric optics and mathematics, visual optics, ophthalmic optics, computer programming, ocular diseases : causes and treatment strategies, contact lens, low vision care, pathology, microbiology and an understanding of the various subspecialities in eye-care.

Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS-Pilani)
The Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani, India (known as BITS-Pilani) is a world renowned University established in 1964. The university has gained an international reputation for quality in education. The university is well-known for the innovations in higher education and had introduced several unique academic structured programs in the field of Engineering, Management, Science & Technology.

Teaching Methods
• Lectures
• Clinical training
• Clinical case presentations
• Group discussions
• Supervised clinical research

Assessment
• Assignments
• Tutorial Session
• Practical work- Laboratory
• Internal Assessment Test (within semester)
• Semester Exam
• Project work / Dissertation
• Final Clinical Examination

Entry Requirement
• STPM with 3 Principal Science Subjects
• "A" Levels (UK)
• AUSMAT / CIMP
• Foundation Science
• Matriculation
• UEC
• Or the Equivalent Qualification

Course Fees
The Course Fee is RM 89000 for the full 4 year course, which also includes exams fees and facilities charges.

Intake per year
• January and July Intake

Optometry Open Days
Open Days will be conducted all round the year (every month) to promote & recruit students.
Please refer below for the activities involved during the Open Day.
• Exhibition on Optometry profession
• Career talk & QA session on the Optometry programme
• Career Counseling
• Tour of THONEH/NIO Complex

Faculty Members
Full-Time Faculty Members:

• Optometry:
1. Dr. Ananth. S, B.S, M. Phil, PhD (Optometry, UK) HOD – School of Optometry
2. Mr. Ramprasat Kanagaraj, B.S. M.S (Optometry, USA) Lecturer - School of Optometry
3. Ms. Preetha Sampat, B.S. M.S (Optometry, USA) Lecturer - School of Optometry
4. Ms. Marliana Mahmud, B.Sc (UKM), MSc (Optometry, UK) Lecturer - School of Optometry
5. Dr. Sangar S, MSc, PhD (UM) Lecturer - School of Optometry

• Ophthalmology:
6. Prof. Dato’ Dr. Veera Ramani, Dean FRCS (Edin), FRCS Ophth (UK) FAMM, FICS
7. Prof. Dr. Pall Singh, Deputy Dean (Education) FRCS (Glasgow), FRCS( Edin), FRCOphth (UK), FAMM
8. Prof. Dr. Zainal bin Mohamad, Deputy Dean (Research) MD, MS Ophthalmology (UKM)
9. Dr. George Thomas, FRCS (Glasgow), FRCS (Edin), FRCOphth(UK)
10. Dr. P. Saraswathi, MS Ophthalmology
11. Dr. S. Sheamala, FRCS (Edin), M. Med. Ophthalmology (S’pore)
12. Dr. Linda Teoh Oon Cheng, FRCS (Edin), MS Ophthalmology (UKM)
13. Dr. Vijaya Mohan, M. Med. Ophthalmology (S’pore), FRCS (Edin)
14. Dr. Gayatri Devi Vairavan, FRCS Ophth (Glasgow)
15. Dr. Sanjeev Ananthan, FRCS Ophth (Glasgow)
16. Dr. Sivamalar, FRCS Ophth (Glasgow)
17. Dr. Harikrishnan, FRCS (Ireland), FRCOphth (London)
18. Dr. Azhar Zainuddin, MD, MS Ophthalmology (UM)

Part-Time Faculty Members:
• Biochemistry:
1. Prof. Dr. Balabaskaran, Chief Executive MSc, PhD (NZ)
2. Ms. Pavalamalar Rajalingam, MSc (UM)

• Anatomy:
3. Prof. Dr. Jayaseelan. N, MD
4. Dr. Bharti M, MBBS, Diploma in Anesthesiology

• Mathematics:
5. Dr. Wang Ann Lee, PhD (UK)
6. Ms. Jiwamalar, BSc, MSc (UKM)

• Physiology:
7. Dr. Damayanthi Durairajanayagam, BSc, PhD (UKM)

• English, Communication & Public Relations:
8. Ms. Andal Narayanan, M.Sc, PG Dip (TESL)

• Accountancy:
9. Mr. Shanmugam. T, B.A, MA Economics, MBA (UM)
10. Mr. Devendran Mogana, LLB, M.B.A (UK)

• Nutrition:
11. Ms. Saras. M, BSc, MSc

• Computer Science:
12. Mr. Sundar Raj. S, MSc, M.E

• Pathology & Microbiology:
13. Dr. Mohd Nazmul, MSc, PhD (UM)
14. Dr. Justin Gnanou, MD

• Pharmacology:
15. Dr. Renu Agarwal, PhD

• Psychology:
16. Prof. Dr. Parameshvara Deva, MD

• Ocular Diseases:
17. Dr. Lim Hsein Han, MBBS
18. Dr. Zahra Bile, MBBS
19. Dr. Senthil Kumaran, MBBS
20. Dr. Nyo Nyo Min, MBBS
21. Dr. Kay Thi Myint, MBBS
22. Dr. Hla Kay Thi, MBBS
23. Dr. Paveena Bhavani, MBBS