Perfect Vision

Usha Albuquerque

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Optometrists, or Dispensing Opticians, also called Ophthalmic Technicians are responsible for healthy vision of patients, and work to maintain or improve the quality of a patient’s sight and subsequently their lives.

With so many people requiring glasses/lenses, and growing incidence of degeneration in old people and diabetic complications affecting the eyes, optometry is an important career that will always be in demand.

Optometrists should not be confused with ophthalmologists who are medical doctors who specialise in eye and vision care. An Optometrist performs several tasks, including that of making eye equipment (including lenses and spectacles), examining a person's vision, testing visual acuity and prescribing corrective lenses. An optometrist’s skill is based on an intimate knowledge of the workings of the eye and visual system.

Optometrists typically do the following:

• Perform vision tests and analyse results
• Diagnose sight problems, such as nearsightedness or farsightedness, and eye diseases, such as glaucoma
• Prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other visual aids
• Fabricate and fit lenses and other low-vision aids to prescribed specifications, operate machines for the purpose of polishing edges, hardening and adjusting the sizes of lenses, and so on.
• Provide treatments such as vision therapy or low-vision rehabilitation
• Provide pre and post-operative care to patients undergoing eye surgery — for example, examining a patient’s eyes before and after cataract surgery

An optometric examination normally begins with the optometrist taking a detailed case history, to determine what visual problems the patient may be experiencing, as well as other relevant information about their health and visual needs.

The optometrist then performs a series of tests, some of which are carried out routinely and others when indicated by the patient's case history and the results of other tests. Based on a diagnosis of the patient’s problem, appropriate treatment is suggested. Treatments can include prescribing spectacles, contact lenses or eye exercises, prescribing medications to treat infections or other eye diseases, or simply giving advice on lighting, visual habits or other issues. When an optometrist uncovers a visual complaint which requires medical or surgical treatment the patient is often referred to a general medical practitioner or an ophthalmologist.Some optometrists develop special interests in a particular aspect of vision care. Specific areas include:

• contact lens practice
• low vision
• sports vision
• children’s vision
• consulting in industry

Getting in

There are degree, diploma and certificate courses in Optometry. Admission to a degree course requires a minimum eligibility of Plus II or its equivalent with minimum 50 per cent marks in physics, chemistry, biology or maths. The B Optom is a four-year course of which three years are a combination of theory, practical and clinical labs and the fourth year consists of an internship where students directly interact with patients and practice under the guidance and supervision of qualified practicing optometrists.

Admission to the degree course is based on the EYECET examination which is a centralised common entrance test to determine the applicant’s aptitude for pursuing a course in optometry.

Many institutes, including All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) conduct their own entrance test for admission to the BSc programme in Ophthalmic Technology, which is a three-year degree course followed by one-year internship, essential for procuring the degree.

The optometry courses are based on sciences, including biology, physics and chemistry. Therefore, a thorough background in these subjects is essential for students entering the course. The course also covers subjects such as anatomy, physiology of vision, pharmacology and histology, and the final years are devoted to clinical instruction in the management of vision problems. Most of the final year is spent working under supervision in contact with patients.

There is also a two-year Diploma in Optometry, also known as Opthalmic Technology course, for students who have passed Plus II with science. These include Diploma in Ophthalmic Assistant (two years); Diploma in Optometry/ Ophthalmic Technology (two years); Certificate — Ophthalmic Assistant (two years) Diploma in Optometry (two years).

Some institutes also admit students after Class X, who then have to complete a three-year diploma. Students who have completed two-year Diploma in Optometry course are eligible to secure admission directly into second year of B.Optom and BSc programmes through lateral entry.

The one-year certificate courses do not qualify you as an Optometrist but can help for technical and assistant jobs in Optometry. In addition, there are master’s level programmes as well.

Career prospects

Most optometrists are self-employed or work for other optometrists in private practice, or with large optical chains, and in public clinics. Sometimes optometrists act as consultant to firms or factories, or working at healthcare institutions such as hospitals, community health centres or special clinics.

Work opportunities include

• Join the central or state government hospitals and health centres
• Practice independently or have a joint practice along with an Ophthalmologist
• Work at lens manufacturing units and ophthalmic equipment manufacturing companies
• Work in an optician’s shop
• Research and teaching
• Self employment - opening lens manufacturing unit or ophthalmic instrument manufacturing unit.

With a number of contact lens and ophthalmic lens manufacturing multi-national companies coming to India, there are good career prospects for optometrists. Several companies like Titan, Bausch & Lomb are moving into retailing of prescription eyewear and require professionals with a background in optometry.

Some optometrists do not enter private practice after completing their course but continue their studies through research and teaching, and have the opportunity to involve themselves in vision research, or be involved in any of the government or non-government agencies.

Although optometry is not such a sought after career in India at present, it is among the top 10 highly paid professions in the US. This is largely because work in this field does not require the odd hours that medical practice normally demands. It is also a field where high precision work is entailed.

Vision care is a field that also demands the ability to communicate with people and to work with precision and professionalism. Another important personal attribute is a strong academic background, as the optometry courses are challenging, and also needs a willingness to continue learning, particularly as newer technologies and instrumentation comes in. This is essential to keep in touch with new developments in the profession.

Given the medical, and in particular the needs of people in India, we will require at least 2 lakh optometrists, in the next decade. So, if your vision is clear, here is one more profession where you may never seriously be without a job.

— The writer is Director,

Career Smart Pvt Ltd., New DelhiInstitute Watch