Ophthalmic DispensingDáiliúchán Oftalmach

Course Description

Dispensing Opticians are eye care professionals who are trained to interpret prescriptions issued by optometrists or ophthalmologists and to dispense spectacles and other optical aids. They advise patients on the most appropriate spectacle frames, lenses or other optical aids based on their individual needs taking into account the prescription, occupation and lifestyle of the patient. They are trained to take the measurements required for the fitting of such optical appliances. Dispensing Opticians also check spectacles and other appliances to ensure they match the patient’s specification and meet the required standards. They advise patients on how to get the best from their eyewear and play an important role in aftercare and the maintenance of such appliances.

Dispensing opticians play a vital role in providing the best low vision aid for partially sighted patients and the best fitting frame and lens design for children. They are also trained to advise on sports and protective eyewear. Subsequent to further qualification, they may fit contact lenses. Dispensing opticians are often involved in optical practice management.

A career as a dispensing optician is extremely rewarding. It offers great variety and will deliver a high degree of job satisfaction to those attracted to a career in an allied healthcare setting, who have an interest in maths and science, relish problem solving and enjoy interacting with the public.

All Optometry and Ophthalmic Dispensing undergraduates are required to insert drops, contact lenses and probes (with ocular anaesthetic) into fellow students’ eyes and allow fellow students to insert the same into their eyes during the course of their course. All procedures will be carried out in a safe, clean, clinical environment under the supervision of an optometry faculty member.

Contact hours

This is a fulltime course. Students should expect to be on campus up to 5 days per week. The average number of contact hours per week is approximately 24.

Professional Accreditation

The profession of ophthalmic dispensing is regulated in Ireland under CORU (the Health and Social Care Professional’s Council). This course is approved by CORU.

Irish Dispensing Opticians practice at category 1 on the World Council of Optometry Global Competency-based Model of Scope of Practice. They can work in the UK and Australia. To work in the USA or Canada, you may be required to undertake a national certification test and/or an adaption period of state-registered apprenticeship.

Work Placement

You will spend all of third year on placement.

Leaving Certificate Requirements

QQI/FET Requirements

In addition to the QQI minimum entry requirements, QQI quotas and QQI points apply. The max QQI points awarded is 390. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/qqi

Mature Applicants

Applications from mature students (23+) are welcome. Further details at www.tudublin.ie/mature

English Language Requirements

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this course should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.

This is a sample timetable for Year 1, Semester 1 which gives an indication of class contact hours. Timetables are subject to change.  Up to date timetables will be provided on commencement. 

Dispensing Optician. Most newly qualified dispensing opticians enter practice as employees of other dispensing opticians/optometrists, but you can also own and operate your own business.

Graduate Job Titles:

This is a relatively new but unique course in Ireland with our first graduates graduating in 2018. However, there are currently almost 200 dispensing opticians working in Ireland who have gained their qualifications abroad. Dispensing opticians are in high demand so job prospects are excellent. Most dispensing opticians work in private practice, often in a management capacity. However, there is a diverse range of employment opportunities. Dispensing opticians often set up their own practices or enter joint ventures with large multiples. At present in Ireland, dispensing opticians are also employed with spectacle lens manufacturers, frame manufacturers, glazing houses, hospital eye departments, practice management software providers and as college lecturers.

Graduate Employers:

Starting salaries for newly qualified dispensing opticians (as at January 2020) are as high as €35k per annum in the Republic of Ireland.

Advanced Entry applications are accepted to year 2 of this course. For further information on how to make an Advanced Entry application, please visit our CAO Hub. A full list of courses open for Advanced Entry is detailed on the CAO website. 

To qualify for Advanced Entry applicants must be currently studying, completing, or have successfully completed, studies at Level 6, 7 or 8 in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) or an equivalent, in a related area. You must demonstrate by providing transcripts of results that you have achieved the learning outcomes for each stage you wish to advance past, for example:

• To enter Year 2 via Advanced Entry, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Year 1.
• For entry to Year 3, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1 and 2.
• For entry to Year 4, you must demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for Years 1, 2, and 3.

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website.

Because the class is small you make friends very quickly, but you still have the benefits of a large class too because we spend so much time with the optometry students. Right from the start we are learning and practising skills that are directly applicable to the job of dispensing and even getting a weekend or summer job is fairly easy because there is such a shortage of dispensing opticians out there. The course wasn’t my first choice but I’m so glad that I ended up on it.

Access to the BSc (Honours) Optometry (TU871) from the BSc Ophthalmic Dispensing (TU761)

There is no direct transfer/progression mechanism from the level 7 Ophthalmic Dispensing degree to the level 8 Optometry degree.  However, students who graduate from the Level 7 degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing are frequently successful in gaining a place in Year 1 of the Level 8 BSc Optometry programme by applying through the CAO based on their level 7 award. They may be accepted into Year 2 of the Optometry programme under the following circumstances:

Advanced entry to the BSc (Honours) Optometry programme from the BSc Ophthalmic Dispensing will be considered where there are places available in Year 2 of the BSc Optometry. The following criteria should be fulfilled by the applicant. 

1.  An award from TU Dublin of BSc Ophthalmic Dispensing. Adequate performance in all modules – defined by attaining a minimum ECTS weighted average of 65%, across all modules in Years 1, 2 and 3, with no module mark falling below 50%. Applicants should ideally have post-graduation experience between 1-3 years. 

ii.   Applicants will be required to attend for interview.