WHAT IS THE PROFESSION OF OPTOMETRY?

Optometry is a vital field in healthcare, focusing on primary vision care and eye health. Optometrists play a crucial role in assessing vision, diagnosing eye conditions, and prescribing glasses. Here’s what you need to know about this profession:

• Qualifications and Training: Optometrists are registered healthcare professionals with university qualifications in optometry. They undergo comprehensive training to provide primary eye care services, including comprehensive eye tests.
• Optometry Courses: Universities across Australia offer Optometry courses as a field of study, enabling you to become qualified to practice as an optometrist in Australia and to be registered with Optometry Board of Australia. Training with such courses as the Doctor of Optometry (OD) program (University of Melbourne) continues to push further into the eyecare field. Accreditation for this program comes from the Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand, spanning four years. This course ensures best practice in optometry by covering a wide range of subjects, including basic and applied optical, visual, and biomedical sciences.
• Clinical Experience: Clinical studies are a significant component of the OD program, with students gaining hands-on experience in metropolitan, rural, and overseas settings. A research project with clinical relevance is also part of the curriculum, enhancing students’ understanding of eye health and vision care.
• Graduate Attributes: Graduates of the OD program acquire a deep understanding of the human visual system, expertise in optical principles and ocular disease, and competency in clinical ocular examination and diagnosis. They also develop skills in managing optometric practice, ethical research, and leadership in advancing the field of optometry.

Optometry is a dynamic profession that combines science, technology, and patient care to ensure optimal eye health and vision for Australians of all ages.