Aims and Characteristics

Unlike many traditional Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees that focus on research, the Doctor of Optometry (DOptom) is a professional doctorate, which offers students the opportunity to broaden and deepen their clinical knowledge and skills by combining advanced courses of study with research in areas of professional significance and relevance. This programme is the first of its kind offered in Hong Kong, dedicated to advancing the knowledge and training of optometrists in selected optometry specialty areas. It equips graduates with the advanced clinical knowledge and skills necessary to become leaders in the optometry profession.

The DOptom programme strives to develop optometry leaders and to prepare practising optometrists to become experts and opinion leaders in their chosen specialty areas. It fosters the development of advanced clinical skills, critical analysis skills, and management expertise, and familiarises students with contemporary research methods used by optometry specialists.

Aims

• To educate practising optometrists to become independent, competent, and evidence-based optometry specialists;
• To educate practising optometrists to incorporate the latest scientific and technological advances into their optometric services;
• To equip practising optometrists with the ability to conduct research and apply research findings in their chosen optometry specialty areas.
  

Medium of Instruction, Mode and Duration of Study 

The programme will be delivered in English, and is a credit-based mixed-mode programme with normal duration of 2.5-year for full-time study and 5-years for part-time study, and maximum duration of 5-year for full-time study and 8-year for part-time study.