School Of Public Health & Social Medicine - Diploma in Optometry and Ophthalmic Assistant (D. Opt & OA)

Introduction:

The Diploma in Optometry & Ophthalmic Assistant is a visual health care course, where students learn to deal with the examination, diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases and disorders of the visual system.
One can also define it as the science of eye equipment (including lenses and spectacles), which is imbued with the idea of improving the vision of the human eye and removing all kinds of obstacles. Vision being one of the common problems of all ages, it is essential to ensure advancement in scientific technology and preventive measures for which Ophthalmic Assistant is the solution.

Scope of the Course:

Blindness is one of the major public health problems in India. According to WHO there are about 10 million blind or visually disabled persons in the country. As per the opinion of the experts’ 80% of this blindness is preventable or avoidable if there are adequate numbers of eye care professionals at primary, secondary, tertiary level.
Government of India is committed to eliminate avoidable blindness by the year 2020 through Vision 2020 – “Right to Sight” and National Programme for Control of Blindness Programme. The Vision 2020 has identified the adequate ratio of Ophthalmic Assistant to Ophthalmologist is 4:1 ratio. It envisages a need for training 4500 ophthalmic assistant every year. In order accomplish this commitment, it is estimated that there is an urgent need for over 3000 primary eye care professionals to establish vision centers at primary eye care level. The qualified and trained personnel can work with vision care hospital as a part of team with ophthalmologists and Ophthalmic Assistant and contribute towards prevention of blindness.

Role of Optometrist and Ophthalmic Assistant: :

Ophthalmic Assistant are primary healthcare practitioners of the eye and vision system who can successfully manage the leading cause of vision impairment (i.e. refractive error) and can also help alleviate the burden of other causes of blindness through diagnosis, referral and co-management. The main role of an Optometrist & Ophthalmic Assistant is to support an Ophthalmologist with daily clinical tasks such as initial patient assessment, ophthalmic procedures and surgery preparation, various vision tests, equipment and record maintenance, and customer service. As primary eye care practitioners, Ophthalmic Assistant have a vital role in detecting potentially serious eye diseases such as cataract, glaucoma and age-related maculopathy, and general health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
To provide comprehensive vision care to all the people of the country, India needs a large number of Ophthalmic Assistant.

Career Opportunities for Optometrist & Ophthalmic Assistant:

Career as an Optometrist & Ophthalmic Assistant can be very fulfilling as it provides a wide scope for employment.

• Practice independently or have a joint practice along with an Ophthalmologist .
• Contribute to an eye care institution as a trained assistant for ophthalmologist .
• Be a member of professional services in corporate .
• Become a researcher in basic science and clinical research .
• Join the central or state government hospitals and health centers to work on Vision 2020 and National Program of Blindness Program .

Course Objectives:

• To prepare the students to screen and identify eye diseases at primary level.
• To provide skills to the students for providing treatment & medical intervention to common eye diseases at primary level.
• To enable the students to perform common ophthalmic diagnostic procedures and common eye procedures in vision centers, eye hospitals etc. as Ophthalmic Assistant, Optometrists, Orthoptists and Refractionists.
• To assist the ophthalmologist in OPD, pre-operative work-up, during surgery (OT) & Ward procedures and Post-operative care (some independently and some under supervision) .
• To enable the students to get themselves self-employed as Ophthalmic Assistant, Optometrist and Refractionist.
• To enable the students to estimate errors of refraction and be able to prescribe and dispense spectacles.
• To enable the students to maintain ophthalmic appliances and instruments.
• To enable the learners to conduct eye care surveys, research in community ophthalmology.
• To enable students to participate the health education, counseling, and health promotion activities.

Duration:

2 years

Intake: 10 students per year

Eligibility:

Candidates who have passed any Bachelors’ degree (10+2+3) of any Indian University, other statutory University recognized thereto, with a minimum of 45% marks/Second Class.

Age limits of the Students:

Minimum 17 years of age .

Subject code	Title of Paper/ Practical	Subject code	Title of Paper/ Practical
SEMESTER I		SEMESTER II
MSW-101	Social Work Profession: History, Development & Philosophy	MSW - 201	Healthcare Delivery System & Service
MSW - 102	Sociology, Social Policy & Legislation	MSW - 202	Health Policy, Planning & Economics
MSW - 103	Social Work Methods & Practices	MSW - 203	Community Development & Organization
MSW - 104	Basics of Bio-Sciences & Psychology	MSW - 204	Research Methods & Bio-statistics
MSW - P1	Practicum /Field Work on Sociology and Social Work Methods and Practices	MSW - P3	Practicum/Field work on Healthcare settings, services and Health/Biostatistics
MSW - P2	Practicum /Field Work on Bio-Sciences and Psychology	MSW - P4	Practicum/Field work on Community Organization and Development
SEMESTER III		SEMESTER IV
MSW - 301	Communication & Counseling Skills	MSW - 401	Project Planning & Management
MSW - 302	Environmental Health & Sustainable Development	MSW - 402	Planning& Management of NGO/CSO
MSW - 303	Educational and Teaching Technology	MSW - 403 (EL-1)	Public & Community Health Social Work
MSW - 304(EL-1)	Social Work in Hospitals and Patient Care	MSW - 403 (EL-2)	Social Work for Special Population
MSW - 304(EL-2)	Psychiatric Social Work	MSW - RP	Research Project
MSW - 305	Internship /Block Placement	MSW - P7	Field work Practice on NGOs/CBOs
MSW - P5	Field work Public Health & Mental Health Centres/ Programs /Projects	MSW - P8	Field work Practice Field work Practice on Vulnerable Populations on Environmental Health
MSW - P6	Practicum on Practice teaching: Prepare different types of teaching aids, Prepare lesson plan, rotation plans