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 Optometry is a health care profession concerned with eyes and related structures, as well as vision, visual systems, and vision information processing in humans. Like most professions, optometry education, certification, and practice is regulated in most countries. Optometrists and optometry-related organizations interact with governmental agencies, other health care professionals, and the community to deliver eye and vision care. Optometry is one of three eye care professions, the others being Ophthalmology (which is a branch of surgery) and Orthoptics[1] (a sub-specialty of ophthalmology primarily dealing with strabismus).
[edit] BackgroundThe term "optometry" comes from the Greek word optos, meaning eye or vision, and metria, meaning measurement. The eye, including its structure and mechanism, has fascinated scientists and the public in general since ancient times. Many of the expressions in the English language that mean to understand are equivalent vision terms. "I see", to mean I understand. Many patients when told that they may have an eye problem will be more concerned about diseases that affect vision than other, more lethal diseases. Being deprived of sight can have a devastating effect on the psyche, as well as economic and social effects, as many blind individuals require significant assistance with activities of daily living and are often unable to continue gainful employment previously held while seeing. The maintenance of ocular health and correction of eye problems that decrease vision contribute greatly to the ability to appreciate the longer lifespan that all of medicine continues to allow. Given the importance of vision to quality of life, many optometrists consider their job to be rewarding, as they are often able to restore or improve a patient's sight. Behavioural optometry is a related area of non-strabismus vision therapy that some optometrists practice. Generally Ophthalmologists and Orthoptists do not practice this. In the United States, optometrists have obtained from state legislatures the right to treat more eye conditions and to perform certain laser surgeries. Optometrists have been successful in getting the right to use some types of medication, depending on if the medication is given as pills, eye drops, or injections.[2] In Oklahoma, optometrists are allowed by the state legislature to do certain kinds of surgery.[3] [edit] HistoryOptometric history is tied to the development of
The term optometrist was coined by Edmund Landolt in 1886, referring to the "fitter of glasses". Prior to this, there was a distinction between "dispensing" and "refracting" opticians in the 19th century. The latter were later called optometrists. [4] The first schools of optometry were established in 1850-1900 (in USA), and contact lenses were first used in 1940s [5] [edit] LicensingMost countries have regulations concerning optometry education and practice. Optometrists like many other health care professionals are required to participate in ongoing continuing education courses to stay current on the latest standards of care. Optometry is officially recognized:
See also: List of optometry schools [edit] ArgentinaIn Argentina optometrists are required to register with the local Ministry of Public Information, but licensing is not required. Anyone holding a Bachelor's degree may register as an optometrist after completing a written exam. Fees for the exam are set by the provincial government and vary from province to province. [edit] ColombiaIn Colombia optometry education has been accredited by the Ministry of Health. The last official revision to the laws regarding health care standards in the country was issued in 1992 through the Law 30.[7] Currently there are eight official Universities that are entitled by ICFES to grant the Optometrist certification. The first optometrists arrived to the country from North America and Europe circa 1914. These professionals specialized in optics and refraction. In 1933, under Decrees 449 and 1291, the Colombian Government officially set the rules for the formation of professionals in the field of optometry. In 1966 La Salle University opened its first Faculty of Optometry after recommendation from a group of professionals. At the present time optometrists are encouraged to keep up with new technologies through congresses and scholarships granted by the government or the private sector (such as Bausch & Lomb). [edit] EuropeCurrently, optometry education and licensing varies throughout Europe. For example, in Germany, optometric tasks are performed by ophthalmologists and professionally trained and certified opticians. In France, there is no regulatory framework and optometrists are sometimes trained by completing an apprenticeship at an ophthalmologists' private office. [8] Since the formation of the European Union, "there exists a strong movement, headed by the Association of European Schools and Colleges of Optometry (AESCO), to unify the profession by creating a European-wide examination for optometry" and presumably also standardized practice and education guidelines within EU countries.[9] [edit] IrelandThe profession of Optometry has been represented for over a century by the Association of Optometrists, Ireland [AOI]. In Ireland an optometrist must first complete a four year degree in Optometry at D.I.T. Kevin Street. Following successful completion of the a degree, an optometrist must then complete Professional Qualifying Examinations in order to be entered into the register of the Opticians Board [Bord na Radharcmhaistoiri]. Optometrists must be registered with the Board in order to practice in the Republic of Ireland. The A.O.I. runs a comprehensive continuing education and professional development program on behalf of Irish optometrists. The legislation governing Optometry was drafted in 1956. The legislation restricts optometrists from using their full range of skills, training and equipment for the benefit of the Irish public. The amendment to the Act in 2003 addressed one of the most significant restrictions - the use of cycloplegic drugs to examine children. [edit] United KingdomIn the United Kingdom, optometrists have to complete a 4 year undergraduate honours degree followed by a minimum of a one-year "pre-registration period" where they complete supervised practice under the supervision of an experienced qualified practitioner. During this year the pre-registration candidate is given a number of quarterly assessments and on successfully passing all of these assessments, a final one-day set of examinations. Following successful completion of these assessments and having completed one year's supervised practice, the candidate qualifies for membership of The College of Optometrists and is eligible to register as an optometrist with the General Optical Council (GOC). Registration with the GOC is mandatory to practice in the UK. Members of the College of Optometrists may use the suffix MCOptom. There are 9 universities which offer Optometry in the UK. [edit] PhilippinesOptometry is regulated by the Professional Regulation Commission of the Philippines. To be eligible for licensing, each candidate must have satisfactorily completed a Doctor of Optometry course at an accredited optometry program and demonstrate good moral character with no previous record of disorderly conduct. Professional organizations of optometry in the Philippines include Optometric Association of the Philippines[10] and Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists, Inc. (IPAO)[11] [edit] Russia
In Russia optometry education has been accredited by the Federal Agency of Health and Social Development.[citation needed] [edit] United StatesPrior to admittance into optometry school, optometrists typically complete four years of undergraduate study, culminating in a bachelor’s degree. Required undergraduate coursework for pre-optometry students covers a variety of health, science and mathematics courses. These courses include: 2 college semesters of chemistry, 2 semesters of physics, biochemistry, biology, 1 semester of calculus, 1 semester of statistics, 1 semester or 1 year organic chemistry with lab. Additional requirements may be imposed by specific institutions. Optometry school consists of four years of study focusing on the eye, vision, pharmacology and systemic diseases that affect the eye. There are 19 schools of optometry in the United States. Two new colleges of optometry have received pre-accreditation status of preliminary approval from the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education. [12] [13] Upon completion of optometry school, candidates graduate from accredited college of optometry and hold the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree. Optometrists must pass a national examination administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO)[14]. The three-part exam includes basic science, clinical science and patient care. (The structure and format of the NBEO exams are subject to change beginning in 2008.) Some optometrists go on to complete 1-2 year residencies with training in a specific sub-specialty such as pediatric eyecare, geriatric eyecare, specialty contact lens, ocular disease or neuro-optometry. All optometrists are required to fulfill continuing education requirements to stay current on the latest standards of care. In the United States, optometrist are addressed as "Doctor", not as "Mister" or "Ms." as in some countries. The scope of care in optometry is regulated by each state. In Oklahoma, optometrists have been trained to perform surgery. [edit] See also
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