University of Balamand

ABOUT THE PROGRAM — BS IN OPTOMETRY

The Bachelor of Science in Optometry at the University of Balamand is a comprehensive five-year program designed to prepare students for successful careers as qualified primary eye care professionals.

Our curriculum integrates scientific knowledge, clinical training, and hands-on experience to ensure that graduates are well-equipped to conduct comprehensive eye examinations, diagnose and manage ocular conditions, and prescribe appropriate optical solutions—including glasses, contact lenses, and vision therapy.

In addition to clinical proficiency, the program provides a strong academic foundation for those interested in pursuing advanced studies or research in vision science and related disciplines.

At UOB, we are not only preparing future optometrists—we are shaping compassionate, skilled, and forward-thinking professionals who are ready to make a lasting impact in their communities and beyond.

CHAIR’S WELCOME MESSAGE

It is with great pride and excitement that I welcome you to the Department of Optometry at the University of Balamand, part of the Faculty of Health Sciences. As the first Chair of this newly established department — and as a physicist with a deep passion for nano-optics — I am truly honored to help shape a program grounded in the highest standards of eye and vision care education.

At the University of Balamand, we believe that excellence in education is inseparable from innovation, ethical practice, and service to the community. Our Optometry program is a reflection of that belief. Developed in collaboration with world-renowned institutions — including the New England College of Optometry (USA) and the University of Montreal (Canada) — our curriculum offers students a unique and rigorous academic journey to acquire the knowledge, technical skills, and hands-on experience they need to become trusted primary eye care providers.

This five-year, competency-based program integrates the world of optics, biomedical sciences, and advanced clinical training. We place strong emphasis on hands-on learning, giving our students access to state-of-the-art laboratories and real-world internships in optical shops, specialized clinics, and ophthalmology centers.

With Lebanon and the wider region facing a growing need for qualified eye care professionals, our department is destined to become a regional leader in optometric education. Our graduates will not only be equipped with the skills to deliver high-quality eye care but will also embody the professionalism, ethical values, and innovative spirit that define this field.

I warmly invite you to join us on this exciting journey. Together, we can make a real difference, improve vision health, foster innovation, and build a better future for our communities.

Welcome to UOB Optometry — where science, care, and innovation come together to shape tomorrow.

A VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF EYE CARE

The Department of Optometry at the University of Balamand (UOB), based at our Koura Campus within the Faculty of Health Sciences, is one of the university’s most innovative and dynamic academic units. With partnerships from top global institutions — including the New England College of Optometry (USA) and the University of Montreal (Canada) — our program is built on international best practices and a clear mission:
To lead optometric education in Lebanon, the Middle East, and Africa.

Our five-year, competency-based Bachelor in Optometry is designed to train future leaders in eye care. Combining a strong academic foundation with real-world clinical experience, the program equips students to become highly skilled and innovative primary eye care professionals.

OUR PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Multidisciplinary curriculum with a balance of basic science and specialized optometry courses blending theory with practice
• Clinical exposure in our state-of-the-art laboratories
• Training in the latest optical technologies and patient-centered care
• Focus on research, vision rehabilitation, and community engagement

Equipped with cutting-edge skills and clinical experience, our graduates are ready to take on the growing and ever-changing challenges of the eye care field not only in Lebanon but across global healthcare systems.

WHY STUDY OPTOMETRY AT THE UOB?

The Optometry program at the UOB is designed to deliver a high-quality, future-focused education that addresses the eye care needs of the Lebanese community — while preparing students to thrive in a competitive, global healthcare environment.

Through a carefully crafted curriculum, students gain a strong foundation in vision science, develop advanced clinical and technical skills, and cultivate the professional values essential for becoming trusted primary eye care providers. The program also offers a clear pathway for those interested in pursuing graduate studies or research in the field of optometry and vision science.

As a student in our Optometry program, you will be trained to:

• Deliver comprehensive, high-standard eye and vision care through detailed examinations, accurate diagnoses, effective treatments, and ongoing management of visual conditions.
• Detect, prevent, and manage vision disorders, including those related to systemic health issues such as diabetes.
• Prescribe and fit a full range of optical corrections — including glasses, contact lenses, low vision aids, and vision therapy solutions.
• Engage in research and clinical studies that contribute to innovation and progress in the eye care profession.
• Uphold the highest ethical, professional, and personal standards expected of today’s eye care professionals.

At UOB — an independent, non-profit institution — we believe that academic excellence must be paired with meaningful, hands-on experience. That’s why our Optometry program integrates rigorous classroom learning with practical clinical training, access to state-of-the-art laboratories, and real-world internships.
By the time you graduate, you will not only be prepared to serve your local community with confidence and compassion — you’ll also be ready to step into the global healthcare arena as a skilled, ethical, and forward-thinking eye care professional.

WHAT WILL YOU STUDY?

The Bachelor of Science in Optics and Optometry at the University of Balamand provides a rigid academic foundation combined with immersive clinical training. Designed to meet the growing demand for skilled eye care professionals, the program also prepares students for advanced studies or research in the field.

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

The curriculum blends general education and core sciences — such as biology, chemistry, and physics — with a comprehensive range of specialized courses, including:

• Ocular Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology
• Pharmacology as it applies to eye care
• Optical Instrumentation and Technologies
• Contact Lenses and Visual Rehabilitation
• Pediatric and Geriatric Optometry
• Detection and Management of Ocular Diseases

Throughout their academic journey, students gain hands-on experience using advanced optical instruments, conducting comprehensive eye exams, and applying vision therapy and rehabilitation techniques.

FIFTH-YEAR PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIP

A defining feature of the program is the final-year internship, which offers students real-world clinical exposure across diverse settings:

• Optical Shops – Develop communication and retail experience through direct patient interaction.
• Elective Rotations – Explore specific areas of personal interest within the field.
• Ophthalmology Centres – Build advanced clinical skills under the supervision of experienced eye care professionals.

Throughout their academic journey, students will build strong clinical skills, gain hands-on experience using advanced optical instruments, conducting comprehensive eye exams, and applying vision therapy and rehabilitation techniques via prescribing optical corrections.

BEYOND CLINICAL SKILLS

The program also emphasizes:

• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Participation in research and clinical studies
• Basic management and administrative training for those interested in opening their own practice

By graduation, students are prepared not only to deliver high-quality vision care but also to adapt to the evolving demands of the profession — whether in private practice, hospitals, research, or industry.

CAREER PROSPECTS

A Bachelor Degree of Science in Optometry from the University of Balamand unlocks a wide spectrum of career opportunities — both in Lebanon and internationally. As a profession that merges science, healthcare, and human connection, optometry offers graduates the chance to make a lasting difference in people’s lives by improving vision and enhancing quality of life.

Graduates of our program are qualified to pursue careers in diverse professional settings, including:

• Optometrists in private clinics or optical centres
• Eye care professionals in hospitals, medical centres, and ophthalmology clinics
• Specialists in vision rehabilitation and low vision care
• Paediatric or geriatric optometry experts
• Contact lens consultants
• Representatives or consultants for optical companies
• Clinical research assistants in vision science
• Academic assistants or laboratory instructors in health sciences programs
• Managers of optical shops or vision care businesses

For those wishing to advance their education, our program lays a solid academic foundation for graduate studies in fields such as:

• Advanced Optometry and Vision Science
• Ophthalmology (Medical Specialization)
• Public Health, with a focus on Community Eye Care
• Biomedical Sciences, particularly Visual Neuroscience and Ocular Pathology
• Health Education and Research

Whether you're delivering patient care, conducting ground-breaking research, or leading vision health initiatives in the community, a degree from UOB's Optometry program equips you with the skills and versatility to thrive — and to make a meaningful impact, one patient at a time.

SKILLS

At the Department of Optometry, we believe that learning goes far beyond the classroom. That is why our students have access to modern, well-equipped laboratories right here at the University of Balamand’s Koura Campus. These spaces are designed to give you hands-on experience with the tools and techniques you will be using as a future eye care professionals.

Our department includes a range of specialized labs such as the Biology and Chemistry Labs, Optical Instrumentation Lab, Optometry Lab, Dispensing Lab, Binocular Vision Lab, Clinical Optometry Lab, and Contact Lenses Lab. Whether you are learning how to perform a basic eye exam, working with advanced optical instruments, or practicing clinical skills, these labs are where theory meets real-world application.

You will train with the same kind of equipment used by eye care professionals — from refraction units and digital slit lamps to tonometers, lensmeters, fundus cameras, and more. These practical sessions are an essential part of your courses in areas like optics, ocular anatomy, contact lenses, and vision rehabilitation.

We have created these facilities to help you build the confidence and skills you will need to succeed — whether your goal is to work in clinical practice, continue your studies, or contribute to improving vision health in our communities.

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