PhD in Optometry & Vision Science
PhD in Optometry & Vision Science Program Mission:
To graduate highly skilled optometry professionals and vision scientists with advanced clinical knowledge and research skills. In addition, it aims to promote scientific research in the field of Optometry and Vision Science and to contribute to the knowledge-based economy in Saudi society.
PhD in Optometry & Vision Science Program Goals:
Produce innovative and significant applied research related to the field of optometry and vision science.
Raise the level of scientific research in Optometry and Vision Science to obtain high-quality medical services in Saudi Arabia.
To contribute community services by providing highly qualified graduates in a variety of disciplines in the field of Optometry and Vision Science.
Student Learning Outcomes (PLOs):
Knowledge and Understanding (K)
Outline advanced and deep knowledge related to Optometry and Vision Science.
- Recognize research methodology and statistics.
Explain the ethics of scientific research and evidence-based research skills.
Skills (S)
- Criticize scientific research in the field of Optometry and Vision Science.
- Analyze clinical information in order to understand and recognize the diagnosis of conditions, according to specialty.
- Employ bio-statistical tools for original research related to Optometry and Vision Science.
- Design evidence-based research related to Optometry and Vision Science to enhance and improve health policies in Saudi Arabia.
- Manage the care of patients with complex medical conditions within an interdisciplinary health care team.
- Apply recent technologies and advanced experiences in optometry subspecialties.
- Illustrate effective communication and interaction with medical staff from various fields according to professional ethics.
- Demonstrate effective teaching methodologies to students in Optometry and Vision Science.
Values (V)
Adhere to the ethics of scientific research in a research project based on depth in advanced knowledge, methodology, and bio-statistical tools.
Integrate recent Optometry and Vision Science techniques related to education, learning, scientific research, and clinical practice.
Demonstrate professional collaboration and co-operate effectively within a highly qualified medical team.
Eligibility and Application Requirements
Applicant must hold a full-time master's degree in optometry from King Saud University or any accredited university, with a minimum of a "Very Good" (3.75/5) CGPA or equivalent.
Eligible applicants (those meeting all program's/departmental requirements) are selected based on specific criteria, the number of applicants, and program's capacity.
A score of at least 6 in the IELTS- Academic test or equivalent, or applicants must hold a degree from a country whose official language is English and the language of instruction was English, according to the approved deanship list.
Applicant must submit a research proposal demonstrating his/her research interests.
Passing a written examination, with a minimum score of 50% held by the department.
Online Application Process
All applications for the PhD in Optometry and Vision Science must be submitted online through the official university portal.
Key Steps:
Access the Portal: Visit the Deanship of Graduate Studies website to begin.
Create an Account: Register using a valid email address to start your application.
Complete & Upload: Fill out the application form and upload all required supporting documents.
Submit: Review your application and submit it before the deadline.
Application Portal: https://dgs.ksu.edu.sa
Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please ensure all information is accurate before final submission.
For inquiries specifically regarding postgraduate programs in the Department of Optometry, contact us via email: OPTO-PG@KSU.EDU.SA
PhD in Optometry and Vision Science – Curricular Plan
Level 1
OPTO 610: Pathology of Ocular Disease
OPTO 611: Ocular Biochemistry
OPTO 612: Research Methodology and Biostatistics
Level 2
OPTO 621: Advanced Topics in Visual Impairment and Perception
OPTO 622: Group Discussion I
OPTO 623: Ocular Motility and Binocular Vision
Level 3
OPTO 630: Advanced Contact Lenses
OPTO 631: Advanced Eye Care Technologies
OPTO 632: Group Discussion II
Level 4
OPTO 699: Dissertation Proposal Preparation
COM 700: Comprehensive Exam
Level 5
OPTO 700: Dissertation
Elective Courses
Students can select from the following elective courses:
OPTO 613: Artificial Intelligence Application in Optometry
OPTO 614: Visual Psychophysics
OPTO 624: Visual Neuroscience
OPTO 625: Principles of Ocular Therapeutics
OPTO 626: Advanced Studies in the Treatment of Myopia Progression
OPTO 627: Special Topics in Vision Science
OPTO 628: Advancements in Smart and Bio-Integrated Contact Lenses
HHA 601: Saudi Health System
CHS 603: Evidence Based Healthcare
PHYS 635: Laser Applications
PhD Curriculum: Course Descriptions
PhD Curriculum: Course Descriptions
Mandatory Courses
OPTO 610: Pathology of Ocular Disease (3 (3+0))
This advanced course aims to acquaint first-year graduate students with fundamental concepts in ocular diseases. Covered topics will encompass the pathophysiology of ocular surface infections and inflammations, dry eye syndrome, lens disease, glaucoma, and retinal diseases. Furthermore, it will delve into new non-surgical therapeutic approaches and provide updates on current research efforts. The instructional approach will blend didactic lectures with student-led discussions and presentations based on pertinent research literature.
OPTO 611: Ocular Biochemistry (3 (3 + 0))
The course provides comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge on the biochemical basis of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, and nucleic acid structures, functions, and metabolism that relate to eye and ocular diseases. It covers selected topics in molecular biochemistry and describes the biochemistry of vision, the biochemical structure and functions of eye tissues, and some metabolic processes that maintain the metabolism of the visual process.
OPTO 612: Research Methodology and Biostatistics (2 (2+0))
The course discusses experimental design, forming a hypothesis, research methodology, sampling, clinical trials, basic data analysis, and research budgetary management. Also, it will cover a review of descriptive statistics, probability sampling, correlation, prediction, measurements of probability and power, detecting the difference between parametric and non-parametric variables, analyzing repeated measures designs, complex regression, statistical re-sampling techniques, analysis of clinical images, accuracy and repeatability of novel clinical and experimental methods. The course also covers research ethics, including the importance of ethics codes, participants' valid consent, and different types of scientific misconduct.
OPTO 621: Advanced Topics in Visual Impairment and Perception (3 (3 + 0))
The course covers selected topics in visual impairment and visual perception, such as signaling in the retina, LGN, and visual cortex, visual adaptations, detection and processing of luminance contrast, and object and scene perception. Other topics include epidemiology and demography of low vision, understanding of the impact of low vision, including emotional impact on an individual and their community, understanding of the different impact that chronic and acute eye conditions have on the individual, understanding of the importance of sensory substitution, understanding to prescribe, dispense and train in the use of electronic and optical low vision task appropriate devices, and multidisciplinary low vision service provision. In addition, the course covers selected research areas related to the topics mentioned above. Also, it involves the evaluation of non-optical aids during daily activities in subjects with low vision.
OPTO 622: Group Discussion I (2 (2 + 0))
The course provides students with the experience to evaluate literature in the area of vision research critically. Students will meet with their supervisors for two hours each week. They must submit multiple drafts of their literature reviews criticizing the literature on a specific topic.
OPTO 623: Ocular Motility and Binocular Vision (3 (3 + 0))
The course provides comprehensive descriptions for a wide area of binocular vision anomalies, strabismic and non-strabismic, sensory, and motor disorders. This course discusses the nature of binocular vision instabilities and their correlation with visual stress. Unpleasant significant visual and binocular symptoms that are most commonly reported in the literature to be attributed to learning disability and handicap education careers will be particularly highlighted, considering the theoretical principles and implications. Motor and sensory ocular dominance instabilities and their effects on reading performance, as well as the theories behind this concept, will be discussed under the scope of scientific publications in the field.
OPTO 630: Advanced Contact Lenses (3 (3 + 0))
The course provides comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge in cornea and clinical contact lenses, as well as the tear film and ocular surface. It covers recent topics and research in cornea and contact lenses and up-to-date knowledge in systematic evaluation and grading of dry eyes. Students will present, discuss, and criticize a range of recent articles published in the field of cornea and contact lenses, dry eye management, and new treatment technologies.
OPTO 631: Advanced Eye Care Technologies (3 (2 + 1))
This course offers interactive sessions aimed at familiarizing students with subjects in visual optics, eye-optical error correction, and ocular imaging. Topics covered include discussions on visual image quality concepts, accommodation, and strategies for restoring it in presbyopic eyes, as well as approaches to reduce myopia progression. Additionally, the course examines the applications and constraints of technology for measuring and correcting aberrations in both normal and highly aberrated eyes, along with its utilization in ocular imaging.
OPTO 632: Group Discussion II (2 (2 + 0))
The course is a continuation of OPTO 622, as the students should submit their final draft of the literature review, finding the gap in the knowledge and suggesting further research directions.
OPTO 699: Thesis Proposal Preparation (1 (0 + 1))
The course aims to provide the students with the opportunity to focus their research on a particular research topic. Students will be obliged to conduct a literature review that directly relates to their PhD research topic and formulate a hypothesis and aims for their projects. Ideally, students are required to write up a complete scientific research proposal in arrangement with their supervisors before applying for a research grant from a research funding body.
OPTO 700: Dissertation (12 Study Units)
The student discusses the thesis research topic in liaising with a member of staff chosen by the student to act as a supervisor(s). The student will be able to conduct clinical or laboratory research experiments, record the data, use appropriate tools of analysis, draw a conclusion, evaluate, and compare with other studies' results. The student writes up his results in a formal way (thesis) that includes different sections (abstract, introduction, background, methods and materials, results, discussion, conclusion, and references) under the guidance of supervisor(s)). Once the thesis is approved by the supervisor(s) and department, the student defends his thesis against the internal and external examiners.
Elective Courses
PHYS 635: Laser Applications (3 (3 +0))
The course will discuss Laser safely, Laser in Optical Applications and Data storage, medical applications (Ophthalmology, dermatology, surgery, neurosurgery… etc), and optical properties in tissue and laser types in medicine.
OPTO 613: Artificial Intelligence application in Optometry (3 (3 + 0))
The course provides basic knowledge in artificial intelligence applications, including basic data processing and introducing students to artificial intelligence applications in the field of optometry and vision sciences. The course includes the use of modern technologies in diagnosing eye diseases, analysing medical images, and designing intelligent systems to support specialists in optometry and vision sciences, while supporting theoretical and applied aspects through case studies and scientific projects.
OPTO 614: Visual Psychophysics (3 (3 + 0))
This course covers how various factors (brightness, contrast, psychophysical modality, and eye disease) influence the results of psychophysical tests used in basic and clinical vision research. The usefulness of these tests will be examined by considering their reliability, discriminatory ability, and validity.
HHA 601: Saudi Healthcare System (3 (3 + 0))
OPTO 628: Advancements in Smart and Bio-Integrated Contact Lenses (3 (3 + 0))
This course covers cutting-edge developments in smart contact lenses, their clinical applications, and their impact on optometry and vision science.
OPTO 624: Visual Neuroscience (2 (2 + 0))
The topics covered encompass visual processing across different areas, including the retina, cortex, and extracortical regions, as well as the processing streams of dorsal and ventral pathways. Additionally, it will explore aspects of spatial vision, binocular vision, the oculomotor system, and higher-order processes such as visual attention and cognition. Each topic discussion will delve into both the normal functioning of the system and specific diseases associated with nervous system pathology.
OPTO 625: Principles of Ocular Therapeutics (2 (2 + 0))
This course provides basic and advanced knowledge of the treatment of eye diseases, with emphasis on the potential side effects of both ophthalmic and systemic medications that may affect vision. The course also provides a basic understanding of the synthesis of therapeutic peptides and the principles of drug delivery through nanoparticles, emphasizing their applications in ophthalmic treatments.
OPTO 626: Advanced Studies in the Treatment of Myopia Progression (2 (2 + 0))
This course discusses the most prominent modern theories and methods, which specifically address the major factors that stimulate the development or progression of myopia. The course also discusses the benefits and limitations of current optical, pharmacological, and behavioral interventions for progressive myopia. The course applies specialized ophthalmic techniques and methodologies necessary for the appropriate management of progressive myopia. Demonstrate the knowledge to be able to design, develop, and review a sophisticated management plan for progressive myopia involving optical, pharmacological, or behavioral interventions.
OPTO 627: Special Topics in Vision Science (2 (2 + 0))
The course includes practical and specialized topics related to the student’s research area. Topics may be studied by special arrangements with the student’s research faculty member and the student’s special committee.
CHS 603: Evidence Based Healthcare (2 (2 + 0))
The course introduces the principles and applications of evidence-based healthcare and knowledge translation. Also, it will enable the students to utilize the research findings with clinical experience, patient’s preferences, interprofessional perspectives and other resources to influence decision-making that is inherent in improving patients, population and organizational outcomes.
