Nepal Optometry
“Optometry is a healthcare profession that is autonomous, educated and regulated (licensed/registered), and optometrists are the primary healthcare practitioners of the eye and visual system who provide comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, detection/diagnosis and management of disease in the eye, and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system.”
According to World Council of Optometry, “Optometry is a healthcare profession that is autonomous, educated, and regulated (licensed/registered), and optometrists are the primary healthcare practitioners of the eye and visual system who provide comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, detection/diagnosis and management of disease in the eye, and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system.”
Optometrists are at the frontline of eye care as they trained to conduct comprehensive eye exams, prescribe corrective lenses (glasses and contact lenses), diagnose and manage various ocular diseases as well as visual defects, and provide low vision rehabilitation services. They collaborate synergistically with ophthalmologists to deliver comprehensive eye care.
What is Optometry?
Optometry Education in Nepal
In Nepal, optometry education was pioneered by Tribhuvan University, the oldest and the largest university of Nepal in 1998 in collaboration with the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Here is a brief description about Bachelors in Optometry in Nepal.
Eligibility Criteria: In order to appear in Commmon Entrance Examination conducted by Medical Education Commission, the candidates must fulfill the following eligibility criteria:
Passed 10+2 Science (Biology group) or Equivalent securing at least 50% separately in Physics, Chemistry and Biology with 50% aggregate in total.
OR
Secured at least C+ grade separately in Biology, Physics and Chemistry with at least C grade in remaining subjects along with GPA 2.4.
OR
Secured a percentage equivalent to above eligibility in regards to Certificate level programs (A-levels) with different grading system
OR
Applicants who have passed the Health Science Proficiency Certificate level in Ophthalmic Science with at least 50% aggregate in total marks, and registered in Nepal Health Professional Council.
Level: Bachelors degree
Course Duration: 4 years
Every year Medical Education Commission takes the entrance exam for various bachelors level courses including optometry. Here is the seat distribution according to MEC.
Seats:- 80 Seats in Total
Scholarship: 52 seats Paying: 28 seats
Scholarship
1. General :29 seats (55%)
2. Reservation: 24 seats(45%)
3. Female: 7 seats
4. Dalit Female : 1 seat
5. Muslim Female: 1 seat
6. Dalit: 2 seats
7. Adhibasi Janajati seats
8. Khas Arya: 4 seats
9. Madhesi : 2 seats
10. Madhesi dalit: 1 seat
11. Tharu: 1 seat
12. Pichadiyeko kshetra : 1 seat