Optometry

Program Description: 

The field of Optometry was formed in the USA in 1902, and then expanded in the world according to the development and advancement of technology. Currently, Optometry admits students up to Ph.D. level in the USA, England, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, Philippines, etc.

The field of optometry in Iran has been established since 1974 at the undergraduate level and has accepted students at the master’s level since 2002.  It is natural with having several vision science courses today in the fields of ‘machine vision’ technology to the vision of athletes, reading and writing disorders, prevention of visual disorders and rehabilitation and management of eye and vision disorders and low vision; It has presented important fields of education and research, and hence, responds to the needs of the society. Among the visual sciences, the field of optometry has established its position and is of special importance.

The term optometry is derived from the word Optos meaning eye and the word Metria meaning measurement, and this name indicates areas of activities of this field.  According to the classification of vision sciences among strategic sciences and to the existing strategic documents such as Iran’s document 2025, comprehensive scientific map, comprehensive health map, evolution document of medical sciences education, and the like, dealing with this field is a priority.  Therefore, the drafting committee of this program submitted an initial draft to the Supreme Planning Council of Medical Sciences, and after completion in numerous specialized meetings and approval by the Supreme Council of Medical Sciences Planning, it has been submitted to the executive universities of medical sciences for implementation.  The program drafting committee welcomes the opinions of experts..

Definition  

Specialized doctorate (Ph.D.) in Optometry is one of the fields of medical sciences whose graduates study and research the latest scientific achievements in the fields of diagnostics, vision protection, and prevention of vision disorders and timely rehabilitation of people affected by visual impairments, and management of designing optometry equipment and applying them..