Optometry is a healthcare profession of measuring vision. An optometrist prescribes and fits lenses to improve vision and detects as well as treats various eye diseases.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Nov 10, 2017 15:32 IST
Optometry is a healthcare profession of measuring vision. An optometrist prescribes and fits lenses to improve vision and detects as well as treats various eye diseases.
The term optometry is derived from the Greek word 'optos' which means eye or vision and 'metria' which means measurement. The optometrists are doctors who perform eye examination, diagnose vision conditions, and prescribe corrective therapy. They are health professionals who have specialized in eye care and deal with eye testing and providing solutions to patients who suffer from partial sight, hereditary vision defects, squint, weakening of eye muscles etc.
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Scope in India
The scope for optometric practice in India and abroad is great and unlimited. It is a dynamic and challenging career which could achieve personal growth, community respect and offers job flexibility, financial success and unlimited opportunities. Optometrists or optometric physicians are primary eye care and health professionals concerned with vision care. They are experts in determining one's refractive error and prescribing appropriate correction. They deal with vision screening (eye testing), diagnosis of visual problems, orthotics and vision training, optometric counseling of patients with partial sight, color blindness and hereditary vision defects, and designing and fitting of spectacles, contact lens and low vision aids. They also prescribe vision therapy eye exercises to patients complaining of visual symptoms such as squint, etc.
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 and injuries.
Recent study
Recent statistics show that every third blind person in the world is an Indian. There are millions of other peoples suffering from various other kinds of defect in their eyes. Optometry is the right career option for those who are interested in alleviating human suffering. In an overly populated country like India.
The demand for optometrists is very high and is expected to rise further in the coming years.
Eligibility
Students who wish to do degree or diploma courses in ophthalmic technology should clear 10+2 or equivalent examination, with a minimum of 50 per cent marks in physics, chemistry and biology.
The students who want to make their career in the field of optometry must have patience, manual dexterity and confidence. The essential characteristics to become a licensed optometrist are mechanical aptitude, good vision and coordination. Self-discipline, a disposition to serve others, work ethics characterised by dedication and persistence and the ability to deal tactfully with patients are some essential qualities to become a successful optometrist said Aruna Singh, Principle of Delhi Paramedical and management Institute.
Job prospects
Optometrists are trained professionals involved in the treatment of visual defects with the help of optical instruments. They conduct eye tests to examine a patient's vision and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses and provide vision therapy and low-vision rehabilitation.
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After completing the course on optometry, an optometrist has various career opportunities.
- They can establish an independent practice by starting their own eye clinic, optical shop, lens manufacturing unit etc
- They can work with optician showrooms, eye doctors, contact lens and ophthalmic lens industry, hospital eye departments etc. Optometrists can also seek employment with any multinational organisation dealing with eye care products as professional services executives or take up teaching as a career
- They can pursue higher education or can go for further research in the field of optometry. Optometrists could also take up the work of occupational health specialists in the vision care of industrial workers.
Remuneration
Optometry is one of the top ten income-earning professions in the country today.
An optometrists earning is determined by several factors including coverage under provincial medical programmes, fee schedules, hours worked, practice location, services provided and patient population. The initial salary of an optometrist in a government firm is Rs 18,000 or above plus other allowance. Salaried optometrists tend to earn more initially than optometrists who set up their own practices. However, ultimately those in private practice, once established, usually earn more.
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- Authored by Aruna Singh Principle, Delhi Paramedical and management Institute
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Edited By:
AtMigration
Published On:
Oct 30, 2017
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