Back to School…Again

Last week we highlighted the schooling required for Ophthalmologists, both in the U.S. and Europe.

This week: Optometrists.

Doctors of Optometry in the United States are currently regulated by state boards that determine their scope of practice, which may vary from state to state. Within the healthcare system, optometrists function as primary eye care providers who are especially experienced in fitting contact lenses and glasses prescriptions.

Optometrists can also treat their patients that with:

• Oral medications (such as antivirals, antibiotics, oral steroids and pain medications)
• Topical medications such as prescription eye drops to treat glaucoma or red eye
• Injectable medications

Prior to admittance into optometry school, optometrists typically complete four years of undergraduate study, culminating in a bachelor’s degree. Once completing these courses, admission to an optometry doctorate program requires that candidates score well on the O.A.T., Optometry Admission Tests. There are currently 21 optometry schools (ASCO) in the United States, and admission into these schools is highly competitive. **M&S has been a proud, active supporter of ASCO since 2006.**

Optometrists may also be trained in some surgical techniques, including those for foreign body removal, corneal injury, eyelid & lacrimal disease, removal of “lumps and bumps” around the eyes and others. The scope of practice in optometry varies as it is regulated by each state. In many cases optometrists and ophthalmologists work together in the treatment and management of patients with various eye conditions. Opticians in America generally dispense corrective eye wear, and in some cases also construct the corrective
eye wear.

Throughout Europe, optometry education and licensing currently varies. 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. Since the formation of the EU, “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. The first examinations of the new European Diploma in Optometry were held in 1998 and this was a landmark event for optometry in continental Europe.

In Ireland, Optometry has been represented for over a century by the Association of Optometrists, Ireland [AOI]. 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 to enter the register of the Opticians Board. Optometrists must be registered with the Board to practice in the Republic of Ireland.

In the United Kingdom, optometrists have to complete a 3 or 4 year undergraduate honors degree followed by a minimum of a one-year “pre-registration period” (internship), where they complete clinical practice under the supervision of a qualified and experienced practitioner. During this year the pre-registration candidate is given a number of quarterly assessments, often including temporary posting at a hospital, 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 is eligible to register as an optometrist with the General Optical Council (GOC) and, should they so wish, are entitled to membership of the College of optometrists. Registration with the GOC is mandatory to practice in the UK. Members of the College of Optometrists (incorporated by a Royal Charter) may use the suffix MCOptom. Nine universities offer Optometry in the UK. Additionally, the Institute of Optometry in London offers a post-graduate professional doctorate in optometry in partnership with London South Bank University.

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Many Optometrists are heading to Las Vegas this week for International Vision Expo West, and we’ll be there too! Stop by booth #MS11039 and demo the new American-Made Smart System 20/20.
Complete a short survey and receive a $5 Starbucks gift card for your time! (quantities limited).

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