The usefulness of optics-based courses for optometry and vision science alumni: a cross-sectional online survey

OBJECTIVES: A well-balanced curriculum is critical for ensuring that students graduate with the necessary skills. There is growing interest in evaluating the functional value of non-clinical courses compared to clinical courses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the views of optometry and vision science professionals on the utility and relevance of optics-based courses. METHODS: A web-based survey was designed to assess the perceived significance of the optics-based courses. All respondents were alumni of two universities in Jordan that offer an undergraduate degree in optometry. The survey included questions about the professional relevance of optics courses. Respondents were asked to rate several statements related to the relevance and importance of optics courses in current optometry practice on a 5-point Likert scale. RESULTS: In total, 205 respondents completed the online survey. There were 161 (78.5%) women and 44 (21.5%) men, with an average age of 28.76 (± 4.86) years. Overall, respondents rated the perceived usefulness of optics courses for their careers with a mean collective value of 20.78 out of a possible 30 points. Female alumni perceived the courses as significantly more useful in their workplace than male alumni did (p = .020). Optometrists in different age groups perceived usefulness differently (p = .001). Alumni who preferred to learn these courses on-site and by hybrid methods perceived optics courses as significantly more useful than those who preferred to learn online (p = .006 and p < .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The perceived importance of optics-based courses varied according to several factors. However, in general, these courses were deemed helpful in terms of curricular content and practical relevance to practice, regardless of specialisation or the workplace. KEY MESSAGES: 1. In terms of the value offered to the professional competencies that an optometrist needs, the practical utility of optics courses in optometry curriculums is contested. 2. Optometrists' perceptions of optics courses were examined using a cross-sectional survey. 3. Respondents rated the perceived usefulness of optics courses for their career, with a mean collective value of 20.78 out 30 points. 4. The highest percentage of respondents in this study expressed their preference for the face-to-face learning method rather than the hybrid method. 5. Male optometrists perceived learning optics courses as significantly less helpful than female optometrists.