About the Department

The advancement of the world with respect to the growth of science and technology, calls for highly skilled professionals to meet the growing standards. This is even more crucial in health and its related sciences. Changes in the dynamics of the world’s population suggest the need for eye care to increase in the future.

The KNUST Department of Optometry and Visual Science (DOVS) is the first and one of only two optometric training programmes in Ghana. The Department initially started about twenty years ago as a unit under the Physics Department offering Postgraduate Diploma in Optometry. It was upgraded to a full Department in July 2002 to run an undergraduate programme leading to B.Sc. (Optometry) degree. However, realizing the important and critical role of this program in the health care delivery system of Ghana with respect to critical eye care needs, the four year programme was expanded to a six year accredited programme leading to the award of Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree, creating world-class optometrists with practical experience both in and out of the classroom. The Department also runs graduate  programmes  in Vision Science that offers MPhil and Ph.D. degrees in a wide range of primary and clinical  research.

DOVS is committed to training ODs to the highest level of proficiency, integrity and professionalism, preparing graduates to practice at the leading edge of this rapidly evolving health care profession. Community eye health forms a strong part of our curriculum and our ODs recognize their role as primary eye-care practitioners.