University of Melbourne optometry students provide eye care to 3,000 Sri Lankans

Lecturer Dr Kwang Cham and students Anjalee Athukoralage, Victor Liu, Tom Morton and Noni Rupasinghe from the University of Melbourne  Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences conducted eye checks and dispensed glasses to 3,000 low-income earners in Sri Lanka this January.

In collaboration with the not-for-profit Global Hand Charity Inc., the team self-funded their trip in order to treat people who had travelled from distant villages and waited in long queues to have their sight checked. The students were able to practice their skills under the supervision of experienced optometrists and make referrals for customised glasses. The new glasses mean that many adults can resume their livelihoods while young people will be aided in their study.
Regina Lau, Medical Coordinator at Global Hand Charity, wrote to the Dean to praise Dr Cham and the students involvement and singled out Senior Optometry Lecturer Christine Nearchou who was instrumental in recruiting the students and organising 1,200 pairs of recycled glasses.
The Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences has backed the program for the past four years by supporting lecturers and students to perform eye care work in the outlying districts of northern Laos and Sri Lanka.

University of Melbourne Doctor of Optometry

The optometry program at the University of Melbourne Optometry School is four years in duration, and consists of a combination of on-campus teaching and clinical placements, with the clinical component commencing in Year 1 and gradually increasing to full time in the final year. Opportunities exist for clinical-related research to be conducted as a required component of the degree.
Program: Doctor of Optometry (OD)
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Semester intake: Late February or early March
Duration: 4 years
Application deadline: October 27, 2017
Entry Requirements
The Melbourne optometry program is available only to those applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree or are in the final year of completing an undergraduate degree.

1. Have completed an undergraduate degree and prerequisite subjects
2. Write the OAT
3. Submit a personal statement

The university may conduct interviews via Skype or teleconference with short-listed candidates.

Apply to the University of Melbourne Optometry School!

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Find out more about the Melbourne optometry program! Contact OzTREKK’s Australian Optometry Schools Admissions Officer Adam Smith at adam@oztrekk.com.