Optometry Department

The Department of Optometry, Madonna University, Nigeria offering a six-year degree programme leading to the award of Doctor of Optometry (O.D) was established in 2004 in the Faculty of Health sciences. The Department is poised to sustain the motto of the University, which is ‘Decency in Morals and Education’. The programme is designed to expose the student to the knowledge and skills needed to provide primary eye care as well as specialty care in all facets of optometry. The first set of students graduated in 2009 and several sets of students have since graduated from the program.

The philosophy of the Optometry programme encompasses teaching, research and service to mankind with dignity. Every subfield of optometry is constantly advancing in technological endeavors, consequently, the body of knowledge and skill necessary to cope with these advances need to be regularly reflected in the curriculum used in training of students and reviewed from time to time.

To instill in students, the knowledge and skill needed to practice optometry profession effectively and efficiently, and the need to be competent in all its applications in different contexts for the benefit of humanity worldwide.

i. To provide students with a broad and balanced foundation of knowledge as well as practical and clinical skills in optometry.

ii. To develop in students the ability to apply the acquired knowledge and skills to the solution of theoretical and practical problems in optometry.

iii. To develop in students through an education in optometry, a wide range of transferable skills of value in optometry and non-optometry related employment and services.

iv. To provide students with knowledge with which they can proceed to further studies in specialized areas of optometry.

v. To train optometrists that can effectively and safely use diagnostic and therapeutic ocular pharmaceutical preparations as enshrined in the Act of Parliament Chapter 9 (Cap 09) in the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

vi. To empower the student to appreciate the importance of optometry in all clinical, industrial, economic, environmental and social contexts.

vii. To produce Doctors of Optometry who have acquired in-depth knowledge, expertise, skill and ethical orientation to practice the profession of Optometry in any part of the world.

viii. To produce Optometrist who have the necessary knowledge to teach, conduct research and make advances in the profession.

ix. To produce Optometrists versed in managerial acumen to take leadership positions in the health care delivery system.

Learning outcomes

(a) Regime of subject knowledge

It is expected that at the end of the O.D programme, student must be proficient in:

(i) Handling both diagnostic and major therapeutic ophthalmic drugs.

(ii) Effective use of the ophthalmoscope, slit-lamp biomicroscope, retinoscope, tonometer, visual field equipment and other modern eye care diagnostic equipment.

(iii) Ophthalmic dispensing.

(iv) Being able to function effectively in interdisciplinary eye care team whether in a hospital, industrial or any other setting.

(v) Community /public ocular health services.

(b) Competencies and skills 

At the O.D level, students are expected to have developed a wide range of different abilities and skills. Some of the main abilities and skill expected of students at the end of the O.D. Programme are as follows:

(i) Optometric-related cognitive abilities and skills.

(ii) Ability to recognize and analyze ophthalmic problem/s and plan strategies for their solution/s.

(iii) Skills in the evaluation of clinical cases and interpretation of ophthalmic/clinical information and data.

(iv) Skills in presenting clinical cases clearly and correctly, bothorally and in writing to a range of informed audiences.

(iv) Skills in information technology processes such as word-processing and spreadsheet use, data logging and storage, internet communication etcetera.

(c) Behavioral attributes  

An O.D degree holder should have the following attributes:

* Integrity and commitment to sanctity of facts.

* Demonstrate tolerance and accommodation to their patients and colleagues, irrespective of social and other differences; as a reflection of bias-free attitudes acquired through training.

* Conversant with acceptable professional ethics in handling patient information.

* Subscribe to acceptable professional ethics on the handling of dangerous micro-organisms in relation to storage, transportation and use in research.

* Subscribe to acceptable clinical ethics and restraints in the use of diagnostic and therapeutic preparations and medications.

Specialized interests

Current specialized interest areas in the department include the following:

a) Pediatric optometry

b) Contact lenses

c) Binocular vision

d) Low vision

e) Ocular diseases

f) Ocular diagnostics.

Teaching and assessment modalities

Teaching

Optometry courses (clinical and non-clinical) are taught by internal and external staff who are qualified optometrists. Modern equipment and current teaching techniques are used in teaching and assessment of students. Basic medical courses (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pharmacology, biostatistics etc.) are taught by qualified lecturers from the medical school. General studies which include languages, sciences, computer studies, social sciences etc are taught by lecturers within the University. Unit hours of taught courses range from 1 to 3 Unit load for all lecturers.

Teachings are done by the use of power points projectors. Markers on white board are also used in teaching. Laboratory practical and clinical techniques are taught by the full time departmental staff and adjunct lecturers who are sourced both locally and internationally.

Assessment

The procedures used for assessment of students correspond to the knowledge, abilities and skills that are to be developed in the degree programme. Assessments are in the forms of the following:

 – Formal examinations

 – Laboratory reports/ records

 – Problem-solving exercises

 – Oral presentations

 – Planning, conducting and reporting of research project work

Research

There are several research projects being undertaken in the department. Staff and students are involved in research in ocular health, community health optometry, and the visual sciences. Also, the department is involved in interdisciplinary research endeavors. Areas of research interest include refractive errors, colour vision, ocular health, blindness prevention, etcetera.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Doctors of optometry can practice the profession in the following settings:

(a) Eye clinics in both private and public organizations.

(b) Teaching / lecturing in universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, etc.

(b) Join the medical corps of Armed Forces, Police, Immigration, Custom services, Federal Road Safety Commission etc.

(c) Work as research fellows in research institutes, universities, etc.

(e) Work as consultants to Companies, Ministries, Parastatals, etc.

(f) Work as environmental vision consultants in the workplace and sports.

(g) Work as Public Health practitioners.

Admission Requirements

(a) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME)

Candidates seeking admission into the Doctor of Optometry (O.D) degree programme must have: A good score in the prescribed Unified Tertary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for admission into the first year of the 6-year programme. The candidate must have a Unit in English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. In addition, the student must satisfy the university matriculation requirements, with Units at WASC, GCE, or NECO, O’ level in the relevant subjects. The relevant courses must be passed at one sitting in each Examination Board category.

(b) Direct Entry:

(i) For direct admission into the second year (200 level) of the programme, the candidate must have passed 2 of the relevant subjects (Physics, Chemistry and Biology)at advanced level of the General Certificate of Education (G.C.E) or its equivalent.

(ii) A Bachelor’s degree (BSc) in any basic sciences, medical science or health sciences from a recognized university with a minimum of second class lower division.

(iii) A Higher National Diploma (HND) in any relevant science programme (merit) from a recognized institution. They must also pass the general study courses done at 100 and 200 levels.

(iv) Merit in Higher Diploma in Dispensing Opticianry is acceptable.

NOTE: All candidates for direct entry must fulfill all the UTME entry requirements. Also, they must take and pass the general study courses done at 100 and 200 levels.

UNIVERSITY TRANSFERS

(a) Inter-University Transfers:

Below are criteria which must be fulfilled before an inter-university transfer could be considered. Candidates are advised to read these criteria carefully.

(1) Any candidate seeking transfer from another university to the department of Optometry, Madonna University, must satisfy the departmental admission requirements as stipulated in the section titled “ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS”

(2) To qualify, the candidate must be transferring from another Optometry programme.

(3)The transfers must preferably be between 100 and 200 levels. However, occasionally, 300 level transfers may be considered if there is a good reason for such transfer. Such category of students must have passed all 100 and 200 level courses at his / her former school. Transfers from 400 level and above is absolutely NOT allowed.

(4) Also some courses not in the former university brochure but are in the Madonna University brochure must be taken and passed.

(5) Also, a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.50 must be achieved before transfer.

(6) Transfer must not be due to any type of misconduct in the former university.

(b) Intra-University transfer

Madonna University students seeking transfer into the Optometry programme.

These students must satisfy all the requirements as stated in the category of students for inter-University transfer.

Transferring candidate must submit a letter of release which should include reason for transfer from the Registrar, the Dean and the Head of Department. It is important to note that, whatever the Department / Faculty the candidate is transferring from, an accumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 must be achieved by the candidate.

Programme Structure

The Department of Optometry, Madonna University runs a six-year unclassified Doctor of Optometry degree Programme. The Programme is geared towards training students to become competent professional optometrists. Courses to be taken include Basic Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics); Social Sciences (Philosophy, Theology, Information Sciences, People and Culture, Psychology, Peace and Conflict resolution, Bioethicset cetera); Languages (English, French and German); Basic medical sciences (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biostatistics et cetera) and optometry courses which include: Optics, Clinical optometry, Contact lenses, Pediatric optometry, Binocular vision, Geriatric optometry, Practice management, Low vision, Public Health, Ocular diseases, Environmental optometry et cetera.

The Programme also prepares the Doctor of Optometry graduating studentsfor the numerous areas of specialization in the profession of Optometry, which include the following:

1. Primary care Optometry.

2. Cornea and contact lens care.

3. Pediatric optometry.

4. Orthoptics

5. Ocular Health Sciences

6. Low vision and Rehabilitative Optometry.

7. Environmental and Public Health Optometry

8. Vision Science.

REGISTRATION WITH THE PROFESSIONAL BOARD

When the student has fulfilled all requirements for graduation, he /she isconsideredto be an optometrist and is recommended by the department for registration as an Optometrist by the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeriafollowing oath taking ceremony for the graduate.The Optometrist subsequently undergoes a one-year Internship programme organized by the Board of Optometry.

COURSE CODING INDEX (subject areas).

The course codes used in the Department are made up of three letters indicating the subject area (e.g. OPT for Optometry) and a three-digit number (e.g. 120). The first digit represents the level of the course, i.e. 1 for 100 levels, 2 for 200 level, 3 for 300 levelsetc.The second digit indicates the stress area of the course as shown in the table above; and the third digit indicates the semester. Odd numbers represent first semester and even numbers indicate second semester.

TABLE SHOWING THE STRESS AREAS CODES

Optometry (Introduction, General, Labs, Clinics, etc) 0

Optics (including dispensing courses) 1

Contact Lens 2

Ocular Health (Pathology, Pharmacology) 3

Rehabilitative Optometry 4

Binocular vision and Orthoptics 5

Public Health 6

Seminar 7

Research/Project 9

 (v) Guidelines for prerequisites must be adhered to.

(vi) All students registering for 500 level courses must have passed all 100 – 400 level courses; or else, probate so as to enable the student clear all the 100 -400 level courses not passed.

(vii) All clinical courses at 500 levels must be passed before entry to 600 levels.

(ix) Before entering final year (600 Level), the student must NOT have more than 10 Unit load of carry overs.

(x) The student should pass with a minimum of 30 Units before going to the next class (from 100 to 500 levels). The student must NOT proceed to the next class with more than 15 Units of carry-over courses.

PUNISHMENT FOR VARIOUS EXAMINATION MISCONDUCTS

S/N NATURE OF OFFENCE PRESCRIBED PUNISHMENT

1. Any student caught with a piece of paper, GSM phone or gadget containing relevant information pertaining to the examination Rustication for one (1) academic session
2. Second offender for one above Expulsion
3. Impersonation during examination Expulsion of the student(s)
4. Fighting examination supervisor, invigilator etc Expulsion
5. Unauthorized handling of examination question papers Expulsion
6. Exchange of answer booklets Rustication for one academic session
7. Exchange of material in the examination hall As above
8. Collaborative copying in the examination hall Rustication for one academic session.
9. Expel at a repeat of the offense.
10. Smuggling of question paper in or out of the examination hall Rustication for one academic session.
11. Refusal to appear before a panel Rustication for one academic session
12. Forging/ altering result grades and signature of officials Expulsion
13. Threatening a staff or members of their families verbally or in writing Expulsion
14. Procuring and altering a medical certificate in order to obtain a deferment of examination Rustication for one academic session
15. Sorting/ altering of examination grades by whatever means Rustication for one academic session
16. Submission of forged registration materials including add/drop card Rustication for one academic session
17. Talking in the examination hall Appearance before examination malpractice panel.

Academic Staffs