Doctor of Optometry
Optometry Department · King Saud University
Doctor of Optometry Program
A comprehensive, NCAAA-accredited professional degree preparing graduates to practice optometry at the highest international standards — combining rigorous academic training with real-world clinical experience.
6
Years of Study
186
Credit Hours
72
Courses
12
Months Internship
NCAAA
Accredited
Program Foundation
Mission & Goals
Program Mission
Qualifying national professionals with a Doctor of Optometry degree, possessing advanced medical skills and competencies to work as specialists in providing comprehensive medical services for the health and safety of the eye and visual system in ophthalmology and optometry clinics. They will be trained in an educational environment with global standards that encourages community service and is committed to the ethical values of the profession and Islamic values.
Program Goals
- 1Provide a strong foundation in biomedical and visual sciences relevant to optometry and integrate theoretical knowledge with clinical practice.
- 2Develop students' competencies in primary eye care, including the ability to diagnose and manage common ocular conditions.
- 3Encourage lifelong learning and student participation in clinical and scientific research, while promoting evidence-based optometric practice.
- 4Promote active engagement in community service and public health initiatives to enhance community eye care.
- 5Promote ethical and professional standards of practice in all clinical and academic activities.
Student Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
K1
Explain the basic sciences relevant to optometry, including human and ocular anatomy and physiology, pathogenic mechanisms, and principles of visual perception and development.
K2
Describe fundamental optical and geometric principles and their application in optometric practice including ophthalmic lenses, ophthalmic instruments, ophthalmic prisms, the human eye's optical system, contact lenses and low vision aids.
K3
Identify the pathogenesis and manifestations of common ocular and systemic diseases, including ocular emergencies, and the principles of their management.
K4
Identify the etiology and management of refractive errors and abnormalities in the visual system.
K5
Recognize best optometric practice management, and the best ethical considerations in optometry practice, environmental optometry, and community health science.
S1
Perform comprehensive examinations of the structure and function of the ocular adnexa, face, and general observations of the body, assessment of the anterior segment of the eye, and the posterior segment of the eye for all age groups.
S2
Perform specialized optometric eye examinations including assessments for binocular vision, low vision, color vision, and contact lenses in a safe and effective manner across all age groups.
S3
Prescribe optical, therapeutic, and pharmaceutical interventions for the management of visual system disorders, including spectacles, contact lenses, vision therapy, low vision aids, and myopia control.
S4
Perform minor non-complex surgical interventions and manage pre- and post-surgical care.
S5
Design a rehabilitation care plan for visual impairments as part of a multidisciplinary team and in consultation with the patient.
S6
Apply scientific research skills including research proposal development, research ethics consideration, data analysis and management, outcomes interpretation, and scientific report writing.
S7
Communicate competently, both written and verbal, in professional and clinical settings.
V1
Demonstrate effective project management skills, including responsibility, working independently, teamwork, and time management.
V2
Adhere to professional standards of practice and codes of ethics in academic, clinical, and research settings.
Program Structure
Program Overview
Foundation Year
32 Credit Hours · Levels 1–2
A joint foundation academic year encompassing English language, biology, physics, organic chemistry, biostatistics, and university skills courses, shared across health programs.
Core Program
152 Credit Hours · Levels 3–10
The core of the program spans levels three to ten, comprising specialized optometry courses across four years, including clinical rotations, elective groups, and the final project.
Internship Year
12 Months · 3 Periods
Practical training in major hospitals divided into three four-month periods, providing invaluable hands-on experience in real-world healthcare settings.
Academic Plan
Curricular Plan
First Year — Common Foundation YearLevels 1 & 2
32 hrs
▼
Level 1
- CT 101Computer Skills3
- CUR 101University Skills3
- EPH 101Health and Fitness Culture1
- SAT 109Biostatistics3
- ENGL 107English6
Level total — 16 credit hours
Level 2
- ZOOL 109Biology3
- PHYS 109General Physics4
- CHEM 109Introduction to Organic Chemistry3
- ENGL 114Specialized English LanguagePrerequisite: ENGL 1076
Level total — 16 credit hours
Second YearLevels 3 & 4 · Core
39 hrs
▼
Level 3
- —Elective — University Requirement2 (2+0+0)
- OPTO 201Introduction to Optometry2 (2+0+0)
- OPTO 221Geometric Optics3 (2+2+0)
- OPTO 223Clinical Visual Optics2 (2+0+0)
- CLN 224Basic Anatomy and Physiology3 (3+0+0)
- OPTO 205Ocular Anatomy and Physiology3 (2+2+0)
- OPTO 206Vision Sciences I2 (2+0+0)
- OPTO 224Clinical Examinations of the Visual System I3 (1+4+0)
Level total — 20 credit hours
Level 4
- —Elective — University Requirement2 (2+0+0)
- OPTO 211Physical Optics and Photometry2 (1+2+0)
- OPTO 212Ophthalmic Optics I3 (2+2+0)
- OPTO 213Ocular Neuroanatomy and NeurophysiologyPrerequisite: OPTO 2053 (2+2+0)
- OPTO 214Vision Sciences IIPrerequisite: OPTO 2062 (2+0+0)
- OPTO 215General Pathology I2 (2+0+0)
- OPTO 216Clinical Examinations of the Visual System IIPrerequisite: OPTO 2243 (1+4+0)
- CHS 243Basic Emergency Care2 (2+0+0)
Level total — 19 credit hours
Third YearLevels 5 & 6 · Core
37 hrs
▼
Level 5
- —Elective — University Requirement2 (2+0+0)
- OPTO 301Ophthalmic Optics IIPrerequisite: OPTO 2123 (2+2+0)
- OPTO 377Vision Sciences IIIPrerequisite: OPTO 2142 (2+0+0)
- OPTO 303General Pathology IIPrerequisite: OPTO 2152 (2+0+0)
- OPTO 304Ocular Microbiology I2 (2+0+0)
- OPTO 327Contact Lenses I2 (1+2+0)
- OPTO 306Binocular Vision3 (2+2+0)
- OPTO 323Clinical Examinations of the Visual System IIIPrerequisite: OPTO 2163 (1+4+0)
Level total — 19 credit hours
Level 6
- IC 106Medical Jurisprudence2 (2+0+0)
- ARAB 100Expository Writing2 (2+0+0)
- OPTO 322Clinical Examinations of the Visual System VPrerequisite: OPTO 3233 (1+4+0)
- OPTO 312Introduction to Pharmacology2 (2+0+0)
- OPTO 313Ocular Diseases IPrerequisite: OPTO 3033 (2+2+0)
- OPTO 318Ocular Microbiology IIPrerequisite: OPTO 3042 (2+0+0)
- OPTO 320Contact Lenses IIPrerequisite: OPTO 3272 (1+2+0)
- OPTO 319Oculomotor Functions and NeurologyPrerequisite: OPTO 2132 (2+0+0)
Level total — 18 credit hours
Fourth YearLevels 7 & 8 · Clinical
38 hrs
▼
Level 7
- OPTO 401Advanced Techniques in Myopia Progression Control2 (2+0+0)
- OPTO 423Optometry Clinic IPrerequisite: OPTO 3223 (0+0+6)
- OPTO 403Ocular Diseases IIPrerequisite: OPTO 3133 (2+2+0)
- OPTO 404Clinical Ocular Pharmacology IPrerequisite: OPTO 3122 (2+0+0)
- OPTO 421Contact Lenses IIIPrerequisite: OPTO 3202 (1+2+0)
- OPTO 406Anomalies in Binocular VisionPrerequisite: OPTO 3063 (2+2+0)
- OPTO 407Advanced Techniques in Visual System Examinations IPrerequisite: OPTO 3222 (1+2+0)
- —Elective — Program Requirement, Group 12 (2+0+0)
Level total — 19 credit hours
Level 8
- OPTO 405Statistics in Vision Sciences2 (2+0+0)
- OPTO 432Optometry Clinic IIPrerequisite: OPTO 4233 (0+0+6)
- OPTO 408Ocular Diseases IIIPrerequisite: OPTO 4033 (2+2+0)
- OPTO 409Clinical Ocular Pharmacology IIPrerequisite: OPTO 4042 (2+0+0)
- OPTO 446Geriatric Optometry2 (2+0+0)
- OPTO 420OrthopticsPrerequisite: OPTO 4063 (2+2+0)
- OPTO 417Advanced Techniques in Visual System Examinations IIPrerequisite: OPTO 4072 (1+2+0)
- —Elective — Program Requirement, Group 22 (2+0+0)
Level total — 19 credit hours
Fifth YearLevels 9 & 10 · Advanced
38 hrs
▼
Level 9
- OPTO 440Advanced Clinic IPrerequisite: OPTO 4324 (0+0+8)
- OPTO 445Clinical Medicine I2 (1+2+0)
- OPTO 451Low Vision3 (2+2+0)
- OPTO 453Ocular Diseases IVPrerequisite: OPTO 4083 (2+2+0)
- OPTO 402Paediatric Optometry3 (2+2+0)
- OPTO 498Final Project I3 (0+0+6)
- —Elective — Program Requirement, Group 32 (2+0+0)
Level total — 20 credit hours
Level 10
- OPTO 444Contact Lenses ClinicPrerequisite: OPTO 4212 (2+0+0)
- OPTO 449Advanced Clinic IIPrerequisite: OPTO 4404 (0+0+8)
- OPTO 452Clinical Medicine IIPrerequisite: OPTO 4452 (1+2+0)
- OPTO 461Visual Impairment Management and RehabilitationPrerequisite: OPTO 4513 (2+2+0)
- OPTO 499Final Project IIPrerequisite: OPTO 4983 (0+0+6)
- —Elective — Program Requirement, Group 42 (2+0+0)
- —Elective — Program Requirement, Group 52 (2+0+0)
Level total — 18 credit hours
Sixth Year — InternshipOPTO 999 · Prerequisite: all courses
12 Months
▼
Clinical Internship Year Students will provide supervised and direct patient care as Interns during the Sixth Year. All students are required to participate in off-campus externships for a portion of their clinical training. The Internship year is divided into three periods, with each training period spanning four months, offering students invaluable hands-on experience in real-world healthcare settings at major hospitals.
Level totals shown above sum to 184 credit hours. The program's approved total is 186 credit hours, as stated in the program specification's curriculum structure table; the two-hour difference reflects the requirement distribution in the approved specification. Please refer to the Department of Optometry for the authoritative per-level plan.
Elective Courses
University & Program Electives
Program Electives
Select one course from each group — 5 courses, 10 credit hours
Group 1 · Level 7
- OPTO 400Environmental Optometry and Public Health2
- OPTO 434Cognitive Visual Perception2
- OPTO 436Occupational Optometry2
Group 2 · Level 8
- OPTO 462Optometry Business Management2
- OPTO 463Nutrition and Ocular Health2
- OPTO 464Sport Vision2
Group 3 · Level 9
- OPTO 465Laser Application in Ophthalmology2
- OPTO 454Visual Dysfunction and Learning Difficulties2
- OPTO 467New Technologies in Optometry2
Group 4 · Level 10
- OPTO 468Advanced Studies in Visual Field and Ocular Photography2
- OPTO 455Visual Rehabilitation for Traumatic Brain Injuries2
Group 5 · Level 10
- OPTO 448Optometric Case Analysis2
- OPTO 450Current Topics in Optometry and Vision Science2
- OPTO 470Evidence Based Optometry Practice2
University Electives
Pass at least 6 credit hours — 3 courses
Institution Requirement
- IC 100Studies in the Prophet Biography2
- QURN 100Holy Quran2
- IC 101Principles of Islamic Culture2
- IC 102Family in Islam2
- IC 103Economic System in Islam2
- IC 104Islamic Political System2
- IC 105Human Rights2
- IC 107Professional Ethics2
- IC 108Current Issues2
- IC 109Development Role of Women2
Program Handbook
Download the Program Handbook
Download the complete Optometry Doctor Program Handbook for detailed information about program requirements, policies, clinical training guidelines, and graduation criteria.
