The Discipline of Optometry at UKZN is one of four optometry education and training programmes in South Africa. It offers the four-year Bachelor of Optometry professional degree, Master of Optometry and Doctor of Optometry research programmes.
The programme runs an in-house eye clinic which is open to the public for eye examinations, vision correction devices, vision therapy, as well as diagnosis and management of ocular diseases. The purpose of the clinic is to provide clinical training to senior under-graduate students (level 3 and level 4 students) through service learning. The clinic is only operational during academic periods (as per the students’ timetable) and consultations are by appointment.
Vision
Our vision is to provide quality, relevant, vision and eye health education programmes
Mission and goals:
- To establish and maintain high standards of optometric education & training.
- To ensure that the programmes offered produce graduates with knowledge, skills and competencies that are both locally relevant and internationally competitive.
- To apply the core principles of transformation in discipline activities, programmes and action plans.
- To engage in strategic community partnerships towards the integration of social accountability into the entire programme.
- To produce high quality and essential national eye health research that contributes towards the elimination of avoidable blindness and promotes an improved quality of life of the communities our graduates are mandated to serve.
- To be at the forefront of cutting edge eye care technological advancements and new information generation.
- To produce graduates with the core values and ethical standards needed to serve individuals and communities equitability with compassion, respect and competence.
The Discipline supports various community clinics which our students attend for clinical training and service.
The contact person for clinic bookings is Priscilla Sewambar
E-mail: Sewambarp@ukzn.ac.za
Tell: 031-260 7294.