Editorial - Vol 18 No 2

Editorial - The Refracting Optician
The Opticians Association of America (OAA) is currently providing a refraction course. In an interesting note it states that Historically, Opticians were the founding fathers of the field of optics. Late in the 19th century, the optical profession split into those who wished to specialize in refraction, the Refracting Opticians, and those who wished to specialize in the filling of the prescriptions and fabrication of eyewear, the Prescription Opticians. Later on, the word "optometry" or Optometrist was proposed by Refracting Optician Eberhart in 1882 to clarify the difference between the two opticians. The Refracting Opticians then changed their name to Optometrists, while the Prescription Opticians changed theirs to Dispensing Opticians. Yet in reality, the optometrists have never given up their right to dispense and fabricate eyewear, whereas, the Dispensing Opticians have never given up their right to practice refraction, if suitably educated.
With all the statistical data available, and the surveys made by various groups or agencies, there is, unfortunately, a tremendous shortage of all eye care professionals not only in India, but globally, which includes Ophthalmologist, Optometrist and Opticians. Most countries either have very poor or no infrastructure for such training. In such circumstances, ophthalmologists perform the tasks that do not require their level of training, while Optometrist perform the job of a Dispensing Optician.
Presenting the 'Asian of the Year 2007' Award at New Delhi, the Hon’ble Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss said that for any country to find its due place in the comity of civilized nations, the three most important indicators on the human development scale are: eradication of poverty, health-care and education. He further emphasized the fact that India has only 12000 eye surgeons in India for a population of more than 1 billion, i.e. 1 eye surgeon for about 1 lakh population.”

The situation in respect of qualified Optometrists is worse still, and there is no data available on qualified Dispensing or Refracting Opticians. While much emphasis has been placed on the training of Optometrists, there is hardly any college or Institute for training of Opticians. Of an estimated 40000 Opticians, hardly 15% possess the necessary skill, while the remaining are doing the job of dispensing and refraction without any basic qualification or training.
Institute of Optical Advancement has taken the initiative of providing both theoretical and practical training to this large community of practicing Opticians, by offering short term training programmes, but it also realizes the need of a full fledged two year diploma for Refracting Opticians.