Optometry Science

What is Optometry?

An Optometry degree is a higher education programme that trains you to become an eye-care professional who can consult patients, perform eye tests, and prescribe medication and corrective eyeglasses. Not to be confused with Ophthalmology.

Optometry specialisations

There are several specialisations or areas of focus that Optometrists can pursue, depending on the type of patients or the challenges they treat. The most common specialisations in Optometry include:

• Paediatric Optometry;
• Geriatric Optometry;
• Contact Lens and Cornea;
• Low Vision Rehabilitation;
• Sports Vision.

What will you learn during an Optometry programme?

During an Optometry degree, you'll learn a range of skills to excel in this profession. If you're wondering why Optometry is a good degree, here's what you'll learn:

• the structure and function of the eye;
• you'll get clinical practice;
• the use of drugs and medications in the treatment of various eye conditions;
• knowledge on the business and management aspects of optometric practice.

Common courses include:

• Ocular Anatomy and Physiology, where you learn about the different parts of the eye such as the cornea, lens, retina, and optic nerve;
• Optics and Refraction, teaches you about the principles of light, optics, and refraction as they relate to the eye;
• Contact Lenses Practice, which is needed to know how to fit contact lenses;
• Paediatric Optometry, with a focus on children's eyes and vision problems;
• Low Vision, teaches about impaired vision that cannot be corrected by glasses or surgery.

An Optometry degree is valuable because it allows you to have a medical practice that is stable, keeps regular business hours, and requires fewer years of study than a medical degree. This degree allows you to have a rewarding professional life.

Skills required to study Optometry

The main Optometry degree requirement is a solid foundation in scientific subjects. Apart from that, an ability for clinical skills is also very important because you will do consults and will need confidence and precision. Finally, Optometry also requires empathy and communication skills in order to interact with patients successfully.

What can you do with a Degree in Optometry?

You will work in healthcare and help people every day, while being able to maintain regular business hours and a good work-life balance, as there are rarely emergencies in this field. Once you graduate with an Optometry degree, you have several job options, including:

• Corporate optometrist – as part of a large company;
• Independent optometrist – opening your own practice;
• Clinical optometrist – working in a hospital or medical clinic;
• Vision science researcher.

An Optometry degree is worth it and leads to a stable and meaningful career.

Based on the Jordanian high school diploma or equivalent:

• Applicant(s) must have at least a high school diploma or hold a high school equivalency credential.
• Applicant’s GPA in high school must be no less than (60%). Those who wish to enroll in the Faculties of Engineering and Pharmacy must obtain a GPA of (80%) and above. The Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences requires a GPA of (75%) and above. The Faculties of Nursing and Law require a GPA of (70%) and above.

Requirements for bridge program(s) in Community Mechanisms:

• Applicant(s) may bridge into the university and specialize in Community Mechanisms if they pass (68%) of the comprehensive exam for humanitarian majors and (70%) for science majors provided that all branches of high school are commensurate with the rules and criteria set for bridging. 
• Applicant(s) whose diploma is issued from outside Jordan may bridge into the university with the corresponding program provided that all branches of high school are commensurate with the rules and criteria set for bridging if they obtain an equivalency of the diploma from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Jordan and sit for the bridge exam organized by Al-Balqa Applied University. 

Basic requirements to join Al-Ahliyya Amman University:

• A certified high school original diploma
• A certified transcript from the university the student is transferring from.
• A certificate of good conduct and behavior from the previous university (for students transferring from public and private universities).
• A copy of the passport.
• 2 personal photos.
• A copy of the birth certificate.
• A copy of Jordanian students’ IDs.
• Military service book for Jordanian male students.
• Security card for Syrian students or proof of residency in the Gulf.
• Certified diploma transcript.
• Attested comprehensive certificate.
• An official letter of approval from the Cultural Attaché to join the university for the following nationalities (Kuwait, Yemen, Bahrain, Iraq, Qatar, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Libya).

All the above documents are non-refundable.

Students can apply for admission to a higher education institution in Jordan through the following:

1. Applying directly to the institution of higher education of their choice. Many higher education institutions in Jordan have online application services or through university service offices; while some institutions accept applications through mail. Each higher education institution determines its own enrollment requirements. Therefore, a prospective student should communicate with the institution they wish to apply to in order to know the specific admission requirements and procedures.
2. Applying directly through the free on-line application
3. Communicate with the Directorate of International Student Affairs at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and apply to any higher education institution