Career in Optometry

What: Ophthalmic Optics is a science, which deals with the structure, function and working of the human eye. Popularly known as Optometry, this health care profession is concerned with examination, diagnosis and treatment of eyes, specially related to visual, optical symptoms, refractive errors and their correction, using lenses and other optical aids. The scope for optometric practice in India and abroad is great and unlimited. It is a dynamic and challenging career that could achieve personal growth, community respect and offers job flexibility, financial success and unlimited opportunities. Optometrists are licensed physicians who specialize in eye health and care. They examine, diagnose and treat patients with eye problems or disorders. They conduct tests to identify and evaluate any defects or diseases that afflict their patients’ eyes. They also prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, vision therapy and low vision aids. Optometrists work directly with their patients and work to provide the best treatment possible. As such, optometrists must be able to work in a professional manner with a variety of patients ranging from young children to the elderly.

How: Optometrists work indoors at a hospital, or more often, in a private clinic. They work and interact with nurses, technician staff and other assistants in order to provide the most efficient and best care for every patient. Their work hours are among the most routine for any physician: They typically range from mid-morning until the late afternoon. Optometrists undergo extensive education and training: They are high school and college graduates who go on to receive medical certification from a medical school.

Conduct tests to identify and evaluate eye defects and disease. Prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, vision therapy and low vision aids for the correction of visual disorders. Examine, diagnose and treat patients.

Though Optometry goes hand in hand with Ophthalmology in treatment of Visual disorders, Optometrists should not be confused with ophthalmologists or dispensing opticians. An optometrist performs all the tasks of an ophthalmologist, short of surgery. Ophthalmologists (Eye M.D’s) are trained physicians specialized in eye and vision care who perform eye surgery, as well as diagnose and treat eye diseases.

Where: India has the maximum number of visually impaired people at 18 million. Here, refractive error has been identified as one of the leading causes of blindness. WCO (World Council of Optometry) seeks to develop the optometry profession by improving education standards and helping eye care institutions with equipment and teaching faculty. WCO is working on establishing uniform curriculum and competency standards for the development of the optometry profession.

Institutions:

• State Medical faculty-GOVT OF UTTER PRADESH
• State Medical Faculty, Kolkata,
• I.T.S-pilani, Rajasthan
• Jamia Hamdard (Deemed) university ,Delhi
• I.T.S-Pilani, Rajasthan,
• R.N. Rajasthan vidyapeeth (Deemed) university.
• I.I.M.S, Delhi (DCT in Optometry and Orthoptics)
• NIMS University, Jaipur
• IGNOU, (Central University) Delhi