Eyecare is one of the most fundamental healthcare practices of the medical fraternity. The service is provided by the three Os - Optometrist, Ophthalmologist, and Optician. If you are looking for a profession less stressful than the doctors and more engaging than that of opticians, Optometry is your perfect match!

The Ministry of Health of the Government of India created an optometry education program in 1958 as part of the second five-year national plan. It has been a solitary, private practice profession for nearly 62 years now.

Young eye care professionals today have a variety of practice opportunities. The goal for a student approaching this graduation should be concrete. One has to be aware of the alternatives and make an informed decision about what would please you personally and professionally. People who would love to work in industries or be an entrepreneur could both benefit from this profession. Let us briefly go through all the essential discussions.

What is optometry?

It is a medical specialist healthcare profession that entails looking for flaws or abnormalities in the eyes and related components.

Its history is intertwined with the development of

• Science of vision
• Optical aids and optics
• Imaging techniques, optical instruments
• Additional ophthalmology occupations
• The first studies on optics and image generation by the eye may be traced back way back to yesteryears.

Who is an optometrist?

The eyes and other elements of the visual system are examined by these professionals. They help manage…

• Infections
• Traumas and detection/diagnosis and management of disease in the eye
• Diagnose and treat visual abnormalities.
• Prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses (as needed)
• Includes refraction and dispensing
• Rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system

What are their duties and responsibilities?

Assessing the overall ocular health and determining the origin and extent of vision impairments and anomalies by examining patients' eyes and conducting appropriate diagnostic tests such as

• Visual acuity and refractive error.
• the function of visual pathways, visual fields, eye movements, freedom of vision, and intraocular pressure, are all
• assessed using specialized devices and equipment and analyzed the results of vision tests.

Detecting, diagnosing vision disorders including nearsightedness and farsightedness, as well as eye ailments like glaucoma and managing eye illness, including giving eye medicine.

If more medical treatment is required, confer with and send patients to ophthalmologists or other health care providers. Identifying and diagnosing eye movement abnormalities and binocular function defects, as well as organizing and supervising treatment programs, which may include advising patients on eye exercises to help them synchronize their movement and concentration.

Prescribe corrective eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other vision aids, as well as required vision tests.

Minor surgical operations are performed to correct or treat visual or eye health problems.

Treatments such as vision therapy and low-vision rehabilitation are available.

Patients undergoing eye surgery should have pre-and postoperative care, such as evaluating the patient's eyes the day following surgery.

Examine patients for additional diseases and disorders, such as diabetes or hypertension, and, if necessary, send them to other specific healthcare providers. They may advise patients on how to lessen visual difficulties by stopping smoking or decreasing weight.

Ps. Patients should be in general counseled to improve their eye and general health.

4) Role-specific duties : Optometrists, especially those working in a group practice alongside other optometrists or physicians, devote a significant portion of their time to specialist treatment. Some, for example, specialize in treating patients who have just partial vision, or low vision. Others may concentrate on working with children and newborns or another specific vision issue. Many professionals own their own practices, they may spend more time on administrative tasks including hiring personnel, procuring supplies, and marketing their practice.

They can also serve as secondary school instructors, optometry course lecturers, do research in medical schools/facilities, or consult in the eye care sector.

Ophthalmologists and opticians are not to be confused with optometrists. In addition to all of the above, ophthalmologists do eye surgery and treat eye illnesses. Opticians are responsible for fitting and adjusting eyeglasses and, and(or) filling contact lens prescriptions written by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

5) Job opportunities There are various employment options for you aspirants - In 2018, roughly 42,100 optometrists worked all around the world!

Associateship: Becoming an associate is a feasible option for many graduate professionals. As an associate, you are paid a salary.

Government services: As a Health care expert in state and central government branches in India. Also in -

• government hospitals,
• polyclinics,
• CGHS dispensaries,
• ESI Hospitals,
• Government of Delhi Hospitals and Clinics,
• and the NSPB and VI Government of India.

Ophthalmologist/medical clinic: Ophthalmologists and eye experts are increasingly forming employer-employee connections in clinics and hospitals.

Academia: Working in an academic institution, such as a medical college or another institution of higher education, is another option.

Working in this sector allows you to do research and develop new products and services. Marketing, administration, professional relations, and clinical practice are just a few of the opportunities available to these professionals.

6) Scope of Optometry in India

In 2010, it was predicted that India required 115,000 optometrists, but the country only had 9,000 (4-year trained) optometrists and 40,000 optometric assistants/vision technicians at the time (2-year trained). More well-trained optometrists are necessary for India to avoid blindness and visual impairment. Hence, the scope is high!

7) Education Qualification

Diploma
A diploma in optometry course is one of the options for students wanting to pursue short science courses after 12th.

B.Sc. Optometry Course The BSc. Optometry Course covers a total duration of around 4 years.

Students can pursue an Undergraduate Optometry Course after clearing all science courses after 12th board exams from a recognized board with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks or equivalent CGPA.

The facilities provided by the bachelor's in optometry course by ITM is one of the best programs. The candidate is expected to have completed 2 academic years + 1 year of clinical internship experience after completing a Diploma in optometry course. The program includes 1 year of integrated clinical training to give you a first-hand experience.

Postgraduate Optometry Course

Students who want to pursue Masters's in Optometry should clear their graduation.

ITM group of institutions provides a master's program in optometry course after completion of B. Optometry with a year of internship experience.

8) Course fee and other details

The annual price for the diploma optometry course fee ranges between Rs. 50k and 1 Lakh.
The annual price for the undergraduate optometry course fee ranges between Rs. 50k and 2.5 Lakh.
The college fee for a Postgraduate degree in optometry course fee ranges from Rs. 50k/60k to Rs 4 lakh to 6 lakh every year.
Bachelors in this program: 4 year
Masters in optometry program: 2 years
If you have decision-making, and helping skills, you are good to go for the optometry course and contribute to society. Since the annual number of eye care professionals is low compared to other professions you can expect a good job prospect and a great career. The important step before building your career is choosing the right institution, where you could seek exposure.