In the face of acute shortage of eye care services in the country a voluntary social service organisation “Bangladesh National Society for the Blind” was formed in the year 1972 immediately after the liberation of the country with the triple objectives of prevention, cure and rehabilitation of blind.

Over the years the Organisation has established eight base eye hospitals in the country and a multidisciplinary Eye Infirmary and Training Complex (EITC) at Chittagong and it has been rendering its services both through static and mobile eye care programs. To meet the requirement of various categories of trained ophthalmic manpower for delivery of its ever expanding eye care services the task of its manpower development began since 1979. Realizing that a more could be achieved in educating and training in Community Ophthalmology by setting up an academic institution, carrying out research in proper academic environment has led to the establishment of Institute of Community Ophthalmology (ICO) under the Statute made by the University of Chittagong. It is an Institution within the Faculty of Medicine of the University and managed by a Governing Body headed by the Vice-Chancellor, University of Chittagong.

1. Name of the course :

Diploma in Community Ophthalmology (DCO)

2. Duration : Two academic years
3. Date of commencement : July of each years

4. Aims and objective :
5. a) To provide educational opportunities for medical graduates interested in Community Ophthalmology and the relevant basic sciences.
6. b) To provide training in eye care delivery and in the prevention of blindness in the community.
7. c) To provide research opportunities for better understanding of the important eye diseases in the community.
8. d) To collaborate with other institutions concerned with saving sight.
9. Eligibility :
10. a) Medical graduates registered / recognized with Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC).
11. b) Minimum two years after passing MBBS or its equivalent degree recognized by BMDC.

6. Admission Test:

The entrance examination will be MCQ type, containing 60% of question from basic subjects related to the practice of ophthalmology and 40% from Ophthalmology.

7. Course Content

Paper I (Basics Science and Optics)

Group A :

1. Ocular Anatomy
2. Ocular Physiology

Group B :

1. Ocular Pathology
2. Ocular Pharmacology
3. Optics

Paper II (Community Ophthalmology)

Group A :

1. Basic concepts of Community Ophthalmology
2. Status of Global + Regional + Country Blindness
3. Surgery of a eye care Program (Methodology, Validity of a test)
4. Epidemiological concepts and status of common eye disease Cataract, POAG, Child hood blindness, Vit A deficiency, Trachoma, DR, ARMD, ROP, STD
5. Patient’s care and counseling
6. National eye care plan and program
7. Vision 2020 Program 8. G.O and N.G.O Involved in eye care program

Group B :

1. Research methodology
2. Biostatistics
3. Basic concepts of Epidemiology
4. Data–collection, Organization, gross analysis
5. Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation of Program
6. Sustainability of a Program
7. Different levels of eye care prevention and delivery

Paper III (Ophthalmic Medicine and Surgery)

Group A :

1. Orbit Oculoplasty
2. Cornea and Ocular surface disorders
3. Cataract
4. Glaucoma

Group B :

1. Uveal disorders
2. Retinal disorders
3. Neuro Ophthalmology
4. Paediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus
5. Ocular Injury

The Institute is housed in CEITC campus which is situated in the picturesque Foy’s Lake area of Chittagong city. At present the Institute conducts Diploma course in Community Ophthalmology under Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Dhaka. The Diploma in Community Ophthalmology is recognized by Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC).

The Institute of Community Ophthalmology (ICO), academic wing of Chittagong Eye Infirmary and Training Complex (CEITC), established under University of Chittagong in 1991. It offers regular 2 years course leading to Diploma in Community Ophthalmology (DCO).

Institute conducts Diploma course in Community Ophthalmology under Bangladesh Medical University (BMU), Dhaka. The Diploma in Community Ophthalmology is recognized by Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC).