Optometry is a regulated primary healthcare profession. Optometrists are often the first professional to be consulted when an eye problem presents.<br>Optometrists check vision and prescribe and fit spectacles and contact lenses as needed. For children or adults with problems coordinating their eyes, optometrists carry out patching and other forms of vision therapy to help people develop and maintain binocular vision. Optometrists examine the eyes to detect diseases such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and cataracts. Systemic diseases like diabetes or hypertension can also be detected during the eye examination. The optometry course is a challenging and rewarding four-year honours bachelor degree. <br>The first year focuses on science subjects necessary for optometric training. Clinical teaching begins in year 1 and increases in year 2 so that students are equipped with the core clinical skills necessary for a routine eye examination.<br>In years 3 and 4, students have hands-on clinical experience working with patients in our purpose-built clinic, the National Optometry Centre (NOC). The NOC is a state-of-the-art centre for the advanced training of optometry students and is the only facility of its kind in Ireland. <br>Expert clinicians and researchers supervise the student clinics. During these sessions students learn to, perform eye examinations to determine if spectacles are required, choose suitable spectacle frames and lenses, fit contact lenses, identify and manage eye-related diseases, carry out specialised clinics in low vision, paediatrics, and binocular vision, and use specialised ophthalmic diagnostic and imaging instrumentation.