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.

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Programme Study Centres (PSCS) and Work Centres (WCS)
Programme Study Centres (PSCs) and work Centres (Wcs) are being set up all over country, with a different number of seats available as per the training infrastructure available of clinical training material. A typical Programme Study Centre will have 20 to 30 seats available for the training of B.Sc in Optometry and Ophthalmic Techniques candidates. There are the centres which conduct most of the theoretical and practical. For hands on training (Practical activities) students will be work centres.

PSC will be responsible for collection and grading of the assignments of the learners. The practical term-end examination (TEE), will be conducted at the PSC. The PSCs will also be the centre for the counseling sessions for all learners of the PSCs assigned to it.

Since it is not feasible for IGNOU to communicate or intimate each individual student regular details of the programme, the students are advised to collect all relevant information form the programme. In-charge of the PSC or similar delegated representatives.

Admission and Fees
It is a whole time course:

• Admission to the course will be made once year. The candidate should have passed class XII or an equivalent examination with physics, chemistry and biology with an aggregate of 45% marks. If the candidate has also passed in mathematics besides the above subjects, it will be considered as an qualification and preference will be given to such candidates.
• Candidates who have passed 10+2 of CBSE or any other Board in ophthalmic techniques (as a vocational course) are also eligible. They would be given preference in admission, if otherwise found suitable.

45% marks in aggregate in Physics, Chemistry and biology or in the subjects of ophthalmic techniques are essential. The candidates will required to attend interview at their own expense and admission will be after interview in various centres preferably two or three combined and selection committee be make for the interview for the candidates.

The candidate should have attained the age of 17 years on 1st November of the year of admission.

The number of the candidates normally will be as required by the institution.

Applications will be invited in the month of August-September each year. Application Fee – Rs. 300/- (Rupees Three Hundred Only)

About admission and application forms click www.forec.org