OPTOMETRY IN INDIA
Brief history
Optometry in India was started in the year 1958, with the establishment of the first School of Optometry at Gandhi Eye Hospital, Aligarh, in Uttar Pradesh.
The 2-year Diploma in Optometry course was eventually started at about one dozen institutions at various places in the country.
The 2-year Diploma in Orthoptics, likewise, was simultaneously started at different institutions.
But a move was, soon, made to transform optometry into clinical technology, by the introduction of 2-year Diploma in Clinical Technology in Optometry, and Orthoptics, courses at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
However, these courses were, later, replaced with a 3-year B.Sc. Hons. in Ophthalmic Techniques degree course at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Scienes, A.I.I.M.S.
Side by side, 2-year Diploma in Ophthalmic Assistance course was introduced at about three dozen medical colleges under the auspices of National Society for the Prevention of Blindness.
Elite School of Optometry, at Chennai, introduced the 3-year B.S. in Optometry degree course, followed by 1-year internship. The School also, now, provides facilities for M.Phil. in Optometry.
Fellowship in Optometry is offered by L. V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, which also conducts twice-a-year ICLEP (contact lens training) programme for eye care professionals.
In the absence of non-regulated practice of refraction, spectacle-dispensing, and contact lens fitting etc., unfortunately, anyone can enter the field of opticianry. Refraction Institute - the teaching wing of `Optometry Today' - conducts one-year Correspondence Course in Optics to up-date the knowledge of these optical practitioners.
THIS CONCISE HISTORY OF OPTOMETRY COMES TO YOU WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF INDIA'S OLDEST OPTOMETRIC QUARTERLY JOURNAL "OPTOMETRY TODAY". FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT THE EDITOR DR. NARENDRA KUMAR AT E-MAIL: KUMARS@VSNL.COMOther Places to go:
