Study Optometry in New
Zealand
The Department of Optometry and Vision
Science University of Auckland
Optometry and Vision Science
The profession of optometry is
evolving constantly with ocular therapeutics now within the scope of
practice. Your studies in the department will equip you for the
challenges you will face and the lifelong learning needed for a
satisfying career. While the study of optometry and vision science has a
professional focus, a key strand of science is maintained throughout the
programme. By graduating with a BOptom you will be well prepared with
the knowledge, experience and skills required to enter practice or to
continue with graduate or other studies.
The Department had its beginning in 1965 within the Department of
Psychology, and is now a separate Department within the Faculty of
Science, located on the Grafton Campus. We are the only Optometry School
in New Zealand, and one of four schools in the region accredited by The
Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand. Our accreditation
enables graduates to practice optometry in New Zealand and in Australia
without the need to undertake additional examinations.
The Department uses a variety of teaching methods and has a variety
of teaching venues to support the BOptom programme. In addition to work
within the clinical facilities located on the Grafton campus, students
work at other clinics and locations in the Auckland region. We also have
an active post-graduate programme, with students pursuing research
topics in a variety of areas of Optometry and Vision Science.
Final year students are encouraged to spend an extern period in
private practice, at other Optometry Schools, or at other approved
venues. Agreements have been reached with institutions in Australia,
Canada, the United States, Hong Kong, India and Nepal for placement of
students, offering a wide range of extern possibilities. The Department
also has a strong commitment to research and offers study towards the
Postgraduate Diploma in Science, and the Master of Science and Doctor of
Philosophy degrees.
Optometry as a CareerAs a primary health care professional, an optometrist is specifically
educated and clinically trained to examine the eyes and visual system,
to diagnose vision problems or impairments, and to prescribe and provide
treatment. After thorough examination, if necessary with advanced
instruments, the optometrist must decide how various defects should be
remedied, managed and treated. Optometrists work with other health professionals including general medical practitioners and
opthalmologists to ensure the best eye and vision health outcomes for
the population.
With the current emphasis on good health and disease prevention, and
the increased demands for vision care as a result of the ageing
population, there is a continuing need for highly qualified optometrists.
Optometrists must be able to communicate easily and effectively,
particularly when providing special services to children, the elderly
and the partially sighted, and should possess a genuine desire to help people.
Optometry offers the opportunity to join a profession that is both
personally challenging and financially rewarding. The majority of
optometrists enter private practice. This offers favourable working
conditions, regular hours without excessive emergency calls, the freedom
to choose where to live and practise, with the added attraction of being
a well rewarded professional. Optometrists may also practise in
hospitals and clinics, or pursue careers in research and in industry.
Opportunities also exist for those wishing to undertake postgraduate
education, research and teaching, not only in New Zealand but also at
overseas universities.
The Department of Optometry and Vision Science offers a 4-year Bachelor
of Optometry programme which leads to registration as an Optometrist in
New Zealand and Australia. Apart from providing clinical training the BOptom degree
also includes advanced courses in Vision Science.
Postgraduate
programmes are offered including the Certicate in Ocular Therapeutics,
Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Optometry. Research is
carried out in the areas of Clinical Optometry, Vision Science, Retinal
Anatomy and Physiology and Visual Optics.
The Department of Optometry and Vision Science is one of 12
departments within the Faculty of Science, The University of Auckland.
The University of Auckland is located at the centre of Auckland City,
the largest city in New Zealand. Auckland is bounded by two harbours,
the Waitemata and the Manukau and enjoys a mild climate.
The Department believes that its activities should involve and
benefit the community at large. To this end, the Optometry Clinic runs a
satellite clinic in South Auckland where the community has had less
access to eye and vision care. Lecturers and tutors from this Department regularly give talks to
various support groups and help train Vision and Hearing Testers in
association with National Audiology Centre in Auckland.
The University of
Auckland is ranked 36th in the world's top 100 biomedicine universities
and 67th in the world's top 200 universities
CONTACT
Department of Optometry and
Vision Science
The University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland
Telephone: (64-9)
373-7599 Ext 86595
Facsimile: (64-9) 308-2342
E-mail: optometry@auckland.ac.nz
Website:
www.optometry.auckland.ac.nz
www.auckland.ac.nz/opt/
UoA International Office | |
ŠPublic Relations, The University
of Auckland
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