Optometry is an eye care profession which is dedicated to the improvement and preservation
of eye sight. It covers the assessment of vision and incredibly diverse range of activities. Optometrists are primary eye care providers and possess and excellent understanding of the visual system, the problems that can occur and how to manage these problems. As such, the modern practice of optometry encompasses the assessment of the human eye and visual system, as well as the management of patients with conditions of the eye and visual system. This four – year full – time undergraduate programme provides avenues for students to have proper training in managing various eye conditions. Major emphasis is placed on understanding and managing clinical conditions related to the eye in a practical setting and courses are in – depth, challenging and designed to significantly advance optometric clinical skills in all fields of vision care. The institution is housed at Chittagong Eye Infirmary and Training Complex campus because of the availability on necessary infrastructure and logistic services and supports particularly the clinical facilities. A separate Governing Body headed by Vice chancellor, Chittagong Medical University is at the helm. The institute is headed by a full time Director, native and foreign trained optometrists who looks, after the day to day academic and clinical activities. There are full time and part – time faculties. The Institute (ICO) has a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) where the graduate
optometrist can have their postgraduate degrees. Along with regular faculty members, the foreign faculties and part time faculty members covers substantial numbers of lectures. Bachelor of Science in Optometry (B. Optom) honours course started its journey from 2010 under University of Chittagong with 4 years duration. Already 92 students from 1st batch
(2014), 2nd Batch (2015) , 3rd Batch ( 2016 ) , 4th Batch ( 2017 ) , 5th Batch ( 2018 ), 6th Batch (2019 ), 7 th Batch (2020) & 8 th Batch of B. Optom students has been completed their course successfully . Now, institute is conducting Bachelor of Science in Optometry course under Chittagong Medical University from 9th Batch in the year 2017.

Programme Goal:

• To develop competent, compassionate and community oriented optometrist who is capable of
• Providing eye and vision care
• Identify ocular and related systemic illness
• Refer the ocular emergencies and surgical cases
• Buildup career on research / study on clinical and community optometry

Career opportunities:

•  Successful independent optometry practitioner.
•  The opportunity to be self – employed, either as a partner or a solo practitioner.
•  Industry (including industrial safety programs. insurance companies and ophthalmic
  product manufacturers).
• Work at health care institutions such as hospitals, Community health center, eye clinic
  etc.
•  Military and Public Health Service (PHS).
• Vision research, teaching and administration and working for the various Medical
  organizations.
• Academic Institutions ( including teaching and research )
• Work in ophthalmic product industries, social welfare organizations.
• Retail Optical Stores
• Private Practice (starting a new practice, acquiring an existing practice or joining an
  established group practice, including multidisciplinary medical practices).
• Specialty Vision Care ( specialized optometry in private , clinical or group practices in
  areas such as primary care optometry , family practice . infant / toddler / child care , elder
  care , low vision , sports vision , contact lenses , vision therapy or vision in the workplace ) .
• Hospitals and Health Maintenance Organizations ( HMOs )
•  Consulting (including working for academic, industrial or governmental institution.