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
185
Credit Hours
12
Months Internship
3
Training Periods
NCAAA
Accredited
Program Foundation
Mission & Goals
Program Mission
The program aims at graduating specialists with an Optometry Doctor degree which qualifies the graduates to practice professionally in the field of optometry and provide primary eye care — in addition to contributing to scientific research and community service to the expectation of community, national, and international standards.
Program Goals
- 1Graduate optometrists with an Optometry Doctor degree who are competent and able to provide primary eye care services comparable to the best international standards in optometry.
- 2Conduct research using evidence-based methods that contribute to the scientific advancement in the field and serve the community.
- 3Collaborate with government institutions and actively participate in community service activities and initiatives to promote eye health and vision awareness.
Student Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
📚 Knowledge & Understanding
🏆 Skills
⚖ Values
K1Describe basic human and ocular anatomy and physiology, basic principles of pathogenic mechanisms of disease processes, microbiology, pharmacology, neurology, and theories of psychological development and visual perception.
K2Manage all ocular diseases and common systemic diseases.
K3Recognize the etiology of the development of refractive error and other abnormalities of the visual system.
K4Describe basic science and concepts of optics with geometric and physical properties: ophthalmic lenses, ophthalmic instruments, human eye's optical system, contact lenses and low vision aids.
K5Recognize basics of emergency care, optometric practice management, ethics of optometry practice, environmental optometry and community health science, optometric statistics, current topics in Optometry and Vision Science, and research project.
S1Interpret the results of optometric clinical tests.
S2Prescribe ophthalmic materials, pharmaceutical agents, spectacles, contact lenses and vision therapy for the treatment and management of vision disorders.
S3Solve broadly-defined geometrical, physical, visual optics and ophthalmic dispensing system problems and optometric statistics, as well as contact lens complications, low vision problems, public health, behavioral optometry, emergency care and optometric practice management.
S4Conduct performance standard tests/experiments and measurements related to geometrical, physical and ophthalmic dispensing systems.
S5Differentiate anatomy and physiology of head and neck, ocular system and ocular neuro-system.
S6Perform comprehensive optometric eye examination in a safe and effective manner for adults, children, and infants.
S7Use computer skills and internet to cope with the course and research demand.
S8Demonstrate professional written and oral communication with both patients and staff.
V1Demonstrate successful project management skills such as responsibility, working independently as well as part of a team, time and stress management.
V2Show professional and ethical responsibilities in all interactions with patients and colleagues.
Program Structure
Program Overview
Foundation Year
33 Credit Hours
A joint foundation academic year encompassing English language and health sciences courses, shared across health programs.
Core Program
152 Credit Hours
The core of the program spans levels three to ten, comprising 152 hours of specialized Optometry courses across four years.
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 Year
33 hrs ▼
First Semester
- CT 140Information Technology Skills3+0
- MATH 140Introduction to Mathematics2+0
- MC 140Communication Skills2+0
- ENGL 140English Language8+0
Second Semester
- STAT 145Biostatistics2+0
- ZOOL 145General Zoology1+2
- PHYS 145General Physics1+2
- CHEM 145Organic Chemistry for Health Science1+2
- ENGL 145English for Medical Purposes8+0
Second Year
Core ▼
First Semester
- OPTO 221Geometric Optics2+1
- OPTO 223Clinical Visual Optics2+0
- OPTO 224Clinical Examination of the Visual System I1+2
- OPTO 225Ophthalmic Optics and Dispensing I2+1
- OPTO 226Practice Management I2+0
- OPTO 227Human Anatomy3+0
- OPTO 228Human Physiology2+0
Second Semester
- ARAB 103Expository Writing2+0
- CHS 243Basics of Emergency Care2+0
- OPTO 311Physical Optics and Photometry1+1
- OPTO 312Introduction to Pharmacology2+0
- OPTO 314Clinical Examination of the Visual System II1+2
- OPTO 315Practice Management II2+0
- OPTO 316Anatomy and Physiology of the Head and Neck2+1
- OPTO 317Ophthalmic Optics and Dispensing II1+1
Third Year
Core ▼
First Semester
- CLS 224Basic Anatomy and Physiology3+0
- OPTO 321Binocular Vision I2+1
- OPTO 323Clinical Examination of the Visual System III1+2
- OPTO 325General Pathology I2+0
- OPTO 326Ocular Anatomy and Physiology2+1
- OPTO 327Contact Lenses I1+1
- OPTO 328Physiology of Vision I2+0
Second Semester
- ARAB 101Language Skills2+0
- IC 106Medical Jurisprudence2+0
- OPTO 410Clinical Ocular Pharmacology2+0
- OPTO 411Binocular Vision II2+1
- OPTO 412General Pathology II2+0
- OPTO 413Ocular Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology2+0
- OPTO 414Oculomotor Functions and Neurology2+0
- OPTO 415Contact Lenses II1+1
- OPTO 416Physiology of Vision II2+0
Fourth Year
Clinical ▼
First Semester
- OPTO 418Environmental Optometry2+0
- OPTO 419Clinical Examination of the Visual System IV2+1
- OPTO 420Orthoptics2+1
- OPTO 421Contact Lenses III1+1
- OPTO 422Ocular Disease I2+0
- OPTO 423Optometry Clinics I0+3
- OPTO 424Contact Lens Clinics I0+2
- OPTO 425Microbiology I1+1
Second Semester
- OPTO 427Low Vision2+1
- OPTO 428Development Psychology2+0
- OPTO 429Pediatric Optometry2+0
- OPTO 430Ocular Disease II2+0
- OPTO 431Clinical Examination of the Visual System V1+2
- OPTO 432Optometry Clinics II0+3
- OPTO 433Contact Lens Clinics II0+2
- OPTO 435Microbiology II1+1
Fifth Year
Advanced ▼
First Semester
- OPTO 438Community Health Science2+0
- OPTO 439Principles and Psychology of Visual Perception and Language Development3+0
- OPTO 440Advanced Clinics I0+4
- OPTO 441Contact Lens Clinics III0+2
- OPTO 442Optometric Statistics1+1
- OPTO 445Clinical Medicine I1+1
- OPTO 498Final Project I0+3
Second Semester
- OPTO 446Geriatric Optometry2+0
- OPTO 447Psychology of Cognition, Emotion and Motivation2+0
- OPTO 448Optometric Case Analysis0+2
- OPTO 449Advanced Clinics II0+2
- OPTO 450Current Topics in Optometry and Vision Science0+2
- OPTO 452Clinical Medicine II1+1
- OPTO 499Final Project II0+3
Sixth Year — Internship
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.
Program Handbook
Download the complete Optometry Doctor Program Handbook for detailed information about program requirements, policies, clinical training guidelines, and graduation criteria.
