SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Optometry 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
116398  Bachelor of Optometry 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National First Degree(Min 480)  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  480  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2034-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide learners with a well-rounded, broad education with the knowledge base, theory and methodology of Optometry, to enable learners to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in the professional context.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Register with the Professional Board of Optometry and Dispensing Opticians of the Health Professions Council of South Africa as Optometrists.
  • Investigate, diagnose and manage visual and ocular health-related problems.
  • Allowed to address and manage vision and eye health problems in different eye care settings.

    Rationale:
    Optometry practice in South Africa has evolved over the past 90 years, in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) vision and mission of primary eye care, the qualification equips the learner to be able to contribute to reducing the burden of vision impairment.

    The main causes of visual impairment globally remain uncorrected refractive errors (42%) and cataracts (33%). Other causes are glaucoma (2%), age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, trachoma and corneal opacities (approximately 1%) with 18% of causes being undetermined. The uncorrected refractive error affects more than 600 million people globally and vision impairment is on the increase with specific growth being recorded in myopia and presbyopia.

    Over 90% of the world's blind live in developing nations and avoidable blindness, secondary to refractive error, accounts for 13% of all blindness. Seventy-five percent of blindness and visual impairment in South Africa results from preventable or treatable conditions including refractive errors, cataracts and low vision. Visual impairment and the burden of disease-causing blindness have an enormous impact on the overall quality of life including the psychological, economic and social aspects, of the individual and the broader society. As many of the conditions leading to blindness are preventable there is a need for eye care services to be more accessible within both the public and private sectors and at all levels of care.

    The field of eye care comprises a complex spectrum of skills wherein optometry serves to provide both a horizontal level of integration with other eye care professionals involved in primary eye care as well as vertical articulation in eye health and vision science development. The qualification will allow graduates the opportunity to register with the Professional Board for Optometry and Dispensing Opticians as an Optometrist. The Optometrist will be able to make a contribution at all levels of care and within all sectors of healthcare services delivery. The qualification will equip the Optometrist to be able to function in all contexts relevant and appropriate to the specific needs of the country and ensuring successful participation in the global society.

    The Bachelor of Optometry will provide learners with a general interest in health care and a specific interest in eye health care. It will also provide the opportunity to acquire an appropriate qualification to function in independent clinical practice within the private and public sectors, in industry, academia, health administration, technological and medical scientific development. Together with other clinical disciplines involved in eyecare in South Africa. Optometry compliments the eye care service in the country, both in the private sector, as well as in the public sector, by providing refractive care as well as primary eye care services as refractive skills, under more, is a specialised skill of Optometry Professionals.

    The qualification equips learners with competencies that are designed to be progressive in depth and complexity, allowing the learner to integrate professional specific outcomes. The learner will be able to apply skills, knowledge and attributes to serve as change agents in communities served. These skills will enable engagement in life-long learning through research and professional development activities.

    The qualification meets the challenges of transforming society by including aspects that warrant continual engagement and alignment with external realities at all levels of study. The qualification design and delivery arise from the priority health concerns of the communities that the providers are mandated to serve. The contribution of the profession in the provision of equitable, accessible, cost-effective, quality health care services underpins the formulation of the qualification's offerings. The qualification retains the strengths and addresses the flaws of past offerings towards ensuring fitness and suitability of the qualification for its intended purpose as required by the NQF. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment policies (CHE 2016).

    RPL may be used to grant access to the qualification.
    Through its RPL policy, the institution will ensure that quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the PRL process are implemented, and the administrative and support systems, both prior and after RPL assessment, are in place.

    A learner who wishes to transfer his/her studies to the institution from another Bachelor of Optometry qualification at another institution shall be allowed to do so provided they meet the requirements set out in the selection policy for optometry.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor degree studies.
    Or
  • Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 5, 6, 7 and 8 totalling 520 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at Level 5,100 Credits:
  • Basic Anatomy and Physiology, 32 Credits.
  • Mechanics, Optics, Electricity, Biologically and medically Relevant Topics, 16 Credits.
  • Optometry Theory and Methods Ia, 8 Credits.
  • Optometry Theory and Methods Ib, 12 Credits.
  • Public Health, 8 Credits
  • General Pathology, 8 Credits.
  • Ophthalmic Optics, 8 Credits.
  • Ethics and Management Skills, 8 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at Level 6,148 Credits:
  • Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Electricity, Magnesium, 16 Credits
  • Applied Anatomy and Physiology, 24 Credits.
  • General and Ocular pharmacology, 12 Credits
  • Medical Microbiology, 8 Credits
  • Optometry Theory and Methods 2a, 12 Credits.
  • Optometry Theory and Methods 2b, 12 Credits.
  • Ophthalmic and Visual Optics 2a, 16 Credits.
  • Ophthalmic and Visual Optics 2b, 16 Credits.
  • General Pathology 2, 8 Credits.
  • Ophthalmic Dispensing 2a, 12 Credits.
  • Ophthalmic Dispensing 2b, 12 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at Level 7,132 Credits:
  • Optometric Research, 16 Credits.
  • Ocular Pathology, 16 Credits.
  • Low Vision 1, 16 Credits.
  • Paediatric Optometry, 16 Credits.
  • Contact Lenses and Practice, 20 Credits.
  • Binocular Vision I, 16 Credits.
  • Clinical Optometry and Diagnostic skills, 24 Credits.
  • Public Health and Compulsory Residency, 8 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at Level 8, 140 Credits:
  • Paediatric and Binocular Vision, 20 Credits
  • Low Vision 2, 20 Credits
  • Ethics and Management Skills 2, 8 Credits.
  • Ocular Pathology, 20 Credits.
  • Contact Lenses and Practice, 20 Credits.
  • Systems Pathology and Clinical Medicine, 16 Credits.
  • Community Optometry, 20 Credits.
  • Optometric Research, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Ensure professional and clinical responsibility are within the relevant regulatory framework and national health policy.
    2. Apply knowledge, communication and health care skills in conducting a patient history while adhering to the appropriate medico-legal ethical framework.
    3. Apply knowledge, scientific health care skills and technologies in the examination of the eye and related conditions.
    4. Apply appropriate learning strategies to develop the skills to diagnose eye and related conditions with knowledge of minimum standards of optometric care.
    5. Apply appropriate learning strategies to be equipped to manage and deliver eye care services and to provide therapy with the knowledge of minimum standards of optometric care and relevant consultations and consent.
    6. Record and maintain legible, secure data and patient information while adhering to appropriate regulatory requirements.
    7. Apply various learning strategies to continually contribute to the improvement of health care services appropriate to the specific needs of the community.
    8. Manage and administer human, financial, technical and other resources to ensure optimal delivery of eye and vision care products/services.
    9. Design, conduct and critically appraise research. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Apply optometric knowledge, clinical skills and equipment that are appropriate and current.
  • Act in accordance with the standards of behaviour of the profession.
  • Function as an independent practitioner within the eye care field.
  • Implement the principles of the planning, establishment, development and maintenance of an optometric practice when necessary.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Recognise significant or unusual clinical presentations and communicate findings accurately.
  • Make general observations of the patient and obtain the case history.
  • Obtain and interpret patient information from other professionals.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Formulate and implement an examination plan.
  • Assess the eye and supporting structures by seeking appropriate tests, procedures and measurements to inform an accurate diagnosis.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Interpret and analyse findings to establish a diagnosis.
  • Appraise the accuracy and validity of clinical test results and information from the case history and other relevant sources.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Design a management plan for each patient in consultation with the patient.
  • Prescribe spectacles, contact lenses, low vision devices, pharmacological treatment regimens.
  • Dispense optical prescriptions accurately.
  • Manage patients requiring vision therapy.
  • Manage the treatment of ocular disease and injury.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Assure that data is organised in a legible, secure, accessible, permanent and unambiguous manner.
  • Maintain confidentiality of patient records.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Identify and solve problems specific to the community/area in which service is offered.
  • Display responsible decision-making.
  • Use programs to inform and educate people and communities on visual and ocular health and prevention of eye-related problems within health care.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Manage available financial resources so that only necessary products or services are dispensed.
  • Apply management strategies to ensure a viable business, where necessary.
  • Understand various aspects of labour legislation relevant to employees of a practice.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
  • Conduct a literature review.
  • Conceptualise a viable research proposal.
  • Produce a research proposal.
  • Conduct the approved research.
  • Produce the research report.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The overall assessment strategy provides continuously assessed formative assessment and summative assessment opportunities.
    Formative assessment administered continuously during the modules offers the learner the opportunity to demonstrate competencies and skills acquired on the different platforms, as indicated by the outcome of the qualification. Each module determines assessment methods best suited for practical reports, oral, poster, podium presentations (clinical) case studies, case presentations, technique assessments, clinical evaluation of general patients, reporting, within clinical, theoretical and research domains.

    Summative Assessment:
    All modules will use examinations and one research report for the research methodology module. Clinical evaluation and practical examinations of patients will be used in the clinical based modules.

    Formative and summative assessments that include:
  • Written and oral tests.
  • Practical demonstrations and assessments on various optical dispensing and optometric clinical skills.
  • Clinical optometric skills examinations in specialised optometric fields in the format of examining a patient within the clinical setting within each of the specialised fields.
  • Assignments and written reports.
  • Research report. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: New Zealand
    Institution: The University of Auckland
    Qualification Title: Bachelor of Optometry
    Applicants for the qualification must have completed at least one year of study as part of the Institutions' Bachelor of Science (BSc) (Biomedical Science) programme to continue with year 1 of the BOptom. Qualifying learners of the BOptom may articulate vertical with postgraduate studies and as follows: Students first complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Science, from which they may pursue with the Master of Science or Master of Health Sciences. This BOptom is a 5-year full-time undergraduate qualification accredited by the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand. This is a selection qualification. The qualification prepares qualifying learners for registration as an Optometrist and will equip them to diagnose visual problems or impairments, advise on the prevention of vision loss, prescribe and provide treatment. Practical experience in the examination and treating patients takes place in a public clinic and during external placements. The qualification covers both theory and the clinical aspects of Optometry and prepares the student for the workforce after graduation.

    Country: India
    Institution: The LV Prasad Eye Institute - Brien Holden School of Optometry
    Qualification Title: Bachelor of Science in Optometry
    Learners with an Intermediate BiPC ( Biology, Physics and Chemistry for Doctors) or MPC ( Maths, Physics, Chemistry for Engineering) and a minimum of 60% are eligible to apply for the BSc (Optometry). These are two Intermediate Education (also known as Higher Secondary Classes - HSC) is a two-year qualification that provides for entry to degree studies. Completion of this Bachelor of Science in Optometry allows entry to the Master of Science in Optometry. This is a 4-year qualification. Clinical training (internship) takes place in the fourth year of study. The qualification trains optometrists. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Public Health Honours, NQF Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Medical Science Honours, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Optometry, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.