World Optometry Day
Today, March 23, 2015, is being observed as the World Optometry Day by optometry schools, colleges and associations across the country by hosting optometry information sessions to promote the primary eye care profession.
Optometrists are trained health care professionals who evaluate eye health, clarity of vision and, importantly, can detect several disorders of eye like cataract and glaucoma as well as identify systemic diseases like diabetes. The importance of optometry as part of a complete health care system is being raised today by Indian Optometry Federation - a united voice of optometry groups.
With 7.8 million blind people in India, the country accounts for 20% of the 39 million blind population across the globe, of which 62% are on account of cataract, 19.7% refractive error, 5.8% glaucoma and 1% corneal blindness.
Experts say that of the total blind population in the country 4.7% accounted for diabetic retinopathy and age related macular degeneration, and Optometrists can help in early detection of diabetic retinopathy and in its co-management. A total of 285 million visually impaired are also present in the country, and India accounts for 20% of global blind population.
Optometrist Ajeet Bhardwaj (IOF President) explains that Optometry is the profession that can help reduce avoidable blindness. Latest data shows, we can save up to 23 billion dollars per year for India by correction of refractive errors by way of increase in productive hours. We have 143 UGC recognized institutions and around 40,000 optometrists in India (though as per WHO standards 3 times the numbers are required). But without any rights and an independent Optometry Council, Optometry is not a preferred course of choice by students unlike that in other countries.
Optometrists in India have private practices, work in hospitals, and are employed by leading vision care organisations, all of whom are working towards providing much needed eye care in rural and urban areas.
Optometrist R. S. Berwal (Secretary IOF) says, blindness in India can only be reduced or controlled if optometry is given its role of primary health care where they can diagnose and treat patients for common eye ailments and refer patients who need specialised care and surgical intervention. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has promised the same to optometrists and that reflected in the original duties and responsibilities of optometrist since 1976. Unfortunately, MOHFW under pressure from Medical bodies unlawfully changed our duties, so that optometrists may remain subordinate and assistants in health care system. MOHFW has no records available to show why and by whom our duties and responsibilities were changed and as a result the profession which is one among best professions in other countries is not followed by students.
As MOHFW, has not been paying attention and interest to restore duties and responsibilities that were given to them at joining of their courses and jobs and have failed to form a Council for the profession, IOF had decided to observe a hunger strike for two days on World Optometry Day, 23rd March, 2015, starting 10.00 AM at Jantar Mantar and if need be to go for an indefinite hunger strike soon. Though we are getting feelers from MOHFW that they wish to resolve the issues, it remains to be seen whether their intentions are genuine or only cosmetic.
The IOF, established in 2010 and registered in 2011, was formed in response to the need for a centralised peak body to represent all associations of Optometry across India. Acting as a united voice, the Federation aims to raise public awareness of optometry, achieve official recognition for the profession, provide continuing professional development for optometrists and improve access to comprehensive eye care. The IOF is committed to assisting in the development and provision of accessible, affordable and excellent vision care services to all people of India – regardless of their geographical location or socio-economic status. www.indianoptometryfederation.org
Besides being important for streamlining optometry and its practitioners, the independent Optometric Council of India is indeed in the best interests of the efficient visual welfare of our massing millions...and, thus, needs unstinted support from all quarters – Dr. Narendra Kumar, BAMS, DROpt, PGCR (Editor, Optometry) more
Optometrists are trained health care professionals who evaluate eye health, clarity of vision and, importantly, can detect several disorders of eye like cataract and glaucoma as well as identify systemic diseases like diabetes. The importance of optometry as part of a complete health care system is being raised today by Indian Optometry Federation - a united voice of optometry groups.
With 7.8 million blind people in India, the country accounts for 20% of the 39 million blind population across the globe, of which 62% are on account of cataract, 19.7% refractive error, 5.8% glaucoma and 1% corneal blindness.
Experts say that of the total blind population in the country 4.7% accounted for diabetic retinopathy and age related macular degeneration, and Optometrists can help in early detection of diabetic retinopathy and in its co-management. A total of 285 million visually impaired are also present in the country, and India accounts for 20% of global blind population.
Optometrist Ajeet Bhardwaj (IOF President) explains that Optometry is the profession that can help reduce avoidable blindness. Latest data shows, we can save up to 23 billion dollars per year for India by correction of refractive errors by way of increase in productive hours. We have 143 UGC recognized institutions and around 40,000 optometrists in India (though as per WHO standards 3 times the numbers are required). But without any rights and an independent Optometry Council, Optometry is not a preferred course of choice by students unlike that in other countries.
Optometrists in India have private practices, work in hospitals, and are employed by leading vision care organisations, all of whom are working towards providing much needed eye care in rural and urban areas.
Optometrist R. S. Berwal (Secretary IOF) says, blindness in India can only be reduced or controlled if optometry is given its role of primary health care where they can diagnose and treat patients for common eye ailments and refer patients who need specialised care and surgical intervention. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has promised the same to optometrists and that reflected in the original duties and responsibilities of optometrist since 1976. Unfortunately, MOHFW under pressure from Medical bodies unlawfully changed our duties, so that optometrists may remain subordinate and assistants in health care system. MOHFW has no records available to show why and by whom our duties and responsibilities were changed and as a result the profession which is one among best professions in other countries is not followed by students.
As MOHFW, has not been paying attention and interest to restore duties and responsibilities that were given to them at joining of their courses and jobs and have failed to form a Council for the profession, IOF had decided to observe a hunger strike for two days on World Optometry Day, 23rd March, 2015, starting 10.00 AM at Jantar Mantar and if need be to go for an indefinite hunger strike soon. Though we are getting feelers from MOHFW that they wish to resolve the issues, it remains to be seen whether their intentions are genuine or only cosmetic.
The IOF, established in 2010 and registered in 2011, was formed in response to the need for a centralised peak body to represent all associations of Optometry across India. Acting as a united voice, the Federation aims to raise public awareness of optometry, achieve official recognition for the profession, provide continuing professional development for optometrists and improve access to comprehensive eye care. The IOF is committed to assisting in the development and provision of accessible, affordable and excellent vision care services to all people of India – regardless of their geographical location or socio-economic status. www.indianoptometryfederation.org
Besides being important for streamlining optometry and its practitioners, the independent Optometric Council of India is indeed in the best interests of the efficient visual welfare of our massing millions...and, thus, needs unstinted support from all quarters – Dr. Narendra Kumar, BAMS, DROpt, PGCR (Editor, Optometry) more
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