A course with a career vision

Updated on: Monday, June 01, 2009

Shri Prakash Institute of Optometry, an education initiative of Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital and Eye Research Centre, is offering an optometry course for students who have completed the Higher Secondary Examination (10+2) with a minimum of 50 per cent in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and/or Mathematics.

The four year (3+1) B.S. Optometry course will provide students with a scientific understanding of vision and develop their clinical skills for professional practice. Students who pass out have a number of career options, according to the course organisers — independent practice, retail optometrist outlets, employment in eye hospitals, teaching and working for the contact lens industry.

The statistics are in favour of those who make the choice in favour of optometry — in India which has a population of over 1.2 billion, the ratio of optometrists to patients with eye problems is very low. At present, there are only 6,000 qualified optometrists, which means there is just one optometrist for every two lakh population. The country needs at least 45,000 qualified optometrists, according to course co-ordinators at the institute.

According to the World Council of Optometry, “Optometry is a healthcare profession that is autonomous… and regulated, and optometrists are the primary healthcare practitioners of the eye and visual system who provide comprehensive eye and vision care.”

Applications are available at Dr.Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, 19, Cathedral Road,

Chennai - 600 086, Phone: 044-28112525/04428112959.

Also mail

[email protected] for further detail

The hindu

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