Optometrists are primary eye care practitioners and are often the first point of contact for many people seeking advice about their eyes and vision. Optometrists are ideally placed to provide regular, preventative eye care through the early detection of eye disease and conditions that have ocular effects, and the provision of treatment for acute and chronic eye disease and vision problems. Optometrists are also able to use a number of ocular drugs to assist in the detection and management of eye conditions. Why choose this course? QUT offers the only optometry training in Queensland. The optometry program includes a three-year Bachelor of Vision Science followed by a two-year Master of Optometry. Our course is embedded with clinical experience and prepares you to treat patients from a variety of social and cultural groups, ages and conditions. You will work with a range of complex instruments and learn to use clinical judgement to treat patients. At our on-campus optometry clinic you will practise clinical skills under the supervision of registered optometrists. You will treat patients and provide specialist services in ophthalmic lenses, contact lenses, children’s vision, dry eye, glaucoma, and other eye diseases and chronic conditions with ocular effects, such as diabetes. This experience is extended with opportunities to participate in off-campus activities that focus on prevention and treatment within the wider community, and clinical placements in optometric practices, ophthalmology practices and other healthcare settings. You may also choose to travel and complete clinical training in rural and remote Australia, or overseas. In recent years our students have travelled to the UK, Mexico, India, Japan, Vanuatu, and Singapore. Career outcomes Graduates may work in clinical practice in a range of optometric settings, or in teaching and research positions in Australia and internationally. Many graduates enter private practice with a view to future partnership or the establishment of their own practice. An increasing number of graduates are working alongside other health professionals in medical ophthalmology clinics. Graduates of the dual award program (Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry) are employed in areas that include contact lens practice, paediatric vision, occupational/public health vision or low vision. Students may choose not to complete the Master of Optometry, exiting with a three-year Bachelor of Vision Science, to pursue a research career (following completion of an honours year) or find employment in the ophthalmic industry.