Departments / The Dr. Jack A. and Seena P. Elfant Department of Optometry
About
Department Chair: Prof. Yaakov Azoulai
Department Coordinator: Dinah Paritsky
Department Secretary: Merav Segal
Clinic Secretary: Gali Mocha
Introduction
The eyes and the vision process are and have always been fascinating subjects. How do they transmit information from the external world to the brain? What happens when a dysfunction is diagnosed in the information process? What are the techniques for improving vision, such as glasses or lenses? How are the latest laser techniques used? These subjects and many more are addressed in the Hadassah College Optometry program, which combines theoretical studies and practical work with patients.
The Optometry program provides students with the academic knowledge and skills needed by optometrists to diagnose problems in the visual system and to treat them, using state-of-the-art optical equipment. Optometry students acquire a wide range of experiences in many different fields, aiming to prepare them for work in today's market.
An optometrist has three main areas of responsibility:
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Vision: Identification and treatment of vision problems. Various tests enable the optometrist to prescribe a specific treatment for each individual patient. Treatment is typically in the form of glasses, contact lenses, or a special accessory for low-vision patients. |
| 2. |
Visual Function: Identification and treatment of problems regarding the functioning of the eyes. Conditions include binocular vision, cross-eye, focusing problems, eye movement problems, and learning disabilities related to vision. The optometrist establishes the source of the problem and corrects it by prescribing special glasses, eye exercises using optical devices and special computer programs, or both. |
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General Health: Identification of abnormalities related to the eyes and general health. The optometrist may refer the patient to various doctors, such as an ophthalmologist, neurologist, family practitioner, or others. In addition to eye-specific diseases, other diseases can also be diagnosed by testing vision or field of vision. Therefore, the optometrist must have a wide range of knowledge in the anatomy and pathology of the human body. |
Study Objectives
Graduates will earn a Bachelor of Optometry degree recognized by the Council of Higher Education. After an internship and examination by the Health Ministry, an optometrist's license is granted allowing the graduate to work in eye clinics, hospitals, health organizations and private practices. Graduates may also continue further higher education in biological studies such as brain studies, vision sciences, neurobiology and more.
From the beginning of their third year, students receive clinical training in the public clinics, including those operated by and within Hadassah College. Within this framework, students examine approximately 300 patients during their training. The staff and supervisors are among Israel's top specialists in optometry and ophthalmology from Hadassah University Hospital.
Duration of Studies
This is a four year program.
Terms of Admission
Applicants must submit scores from high school matriculation and psychometric examinations. In addition, applicants will be interviewed by the admission committee.
Detailed admission information is available in Hebrew.
Main Fields of Study
- Natural sciences
- Dispensing optics
- Visual optics
- Geometrical optics
- Physical optics
- Immunology and microbiology
- General and ocular physiology
- General and ocular anatomy
- General and ocular pathology
- Theoretical and clinical optometry
- General and ocular pharmacology
- Binocular vision
- Vision therapy
- Contact lenses
- Pediatric and geriatric optometry
- Visual perception
- Low vision
- Statistics and epidemiology
- Clinic management
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