Editing Optometry (section)

===Asia===

==== Bangladesh ====
Optometry was first introduced in Bangladesh in 2010 at the Institute of Community Ophthalmology under the Faculty of Medicine, [[University of Chittagong]]. This institute offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Optometry (B.Optom) course. As of 2017, there are 200 graduate optometrists in Bangladesh.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 30, 2017 |title=Country needs to raise number of ophthalmologists for eye healthcare vision |url=https://www.newagebd.net/article/20839/country-needs-to-raise-number-of-ophthalmologists-for-eye-healthcare-vision |access-date=October 23, 2024 |website=New Age}}</ref> The association that controls the quality of optometry practice across the country is the Optometrists Association of Bangladesh, which is also a country member of the World Council of Optometry (WCO).

In 2018, [[Chittagong Medical University]] was established, and the BSc in Optometry course was transferred to this university.

In Bangladesh, optometrists perform primary eye care like diagnosis and primary management of some ocular diseases, prescribe eye glasses, low vision rehabilitation, provide vision therapy, contact lens practice and all type of orthoptic evaluations and therapies.

Registration from Government’s Health Ministry is still pending for unknown reason.

====China====

In China, optometric education only began in 1988 at the [[Wenzhou Medical University]]. Since that time, the discipline and the profession have emerged as a five-year, medically based program within the medical education system of China. Students in the program receive the highest level of training in Optometry and are provided with the credentials needed to assume positions of leadership in China's medical education and health care systems. In 2000, the Ministry of Health formally accepted Optometry as a subspecialty of medicine.

==== Hong Kong ====
The Optometrists Board of the Supplementary Medical Professions Council regulates the profession in Hong Kong.<ref name="Supplementary">Law of Hong Kong, [https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap359!en cap. 359: Supplementary Medical Professions Ordinance.]</ref> Optometrists are listed in separate parts of the register based on their training and ability. Registrants are subject to restrictions depending on the part they are listed in.<ref>Law of Hong Kong, cap. 359F, [https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/cap359f!en section 29: Optometrists (Registration and Disciplinary Procedure) Regulation.]</ref> Those who pass the examination on refraction conducted by the Board may be registered to Part III, thereby restricted to practice only work related to [[Eye examination#Refraction|refraction]]. Those who have a Higher Certificate in Optometry or have passed the Board's optometry examination may be registered to Part II, thereby restricted in their use of diagnostic agents, but may otherwise practice freely. Part I optometrists may practice without restrictions and generally hold a bachelor's degree or a Professional Diploma.<ref>Supplementary Medical Professions Council of Hong Kong, Optometrists Board, [http://www.smp-council.org.hk/op/en/content.php?page=reg_quareg Qualifications for Registration.]</ref>

There are around 2000 optometrists registered in Hong Kong, 1000 of which are Part I.<ref>Supplementary Medical Professions Council of Hong Kong, Optometrists Board, [http://www.smp-council.org.hk/op/en/content.php?page=reg_reg Registration], List of Registrants, Summary.</ref> There is one Part I optometrist to about 8000 members of the public. The [[Hong Kong Polytechnic University|Polytechnic University]] runs the only optometry school. It produces around 35 Part I optometrists a year.<ref>Tam, Johnny. ''[[South China Morning Post]]''. [[Alibaba Group|Alibaba]]: 3 October 2013. [http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1323000/hong-kongs-eye-doctors-question-vision-training-so-few-profession "Hong Kong's eye doctors question the vision of training so few in the profession."]</ref>

====India====
In 2010, it was estimated that India needed 115,000 optometrists. In contrast, India has approximately 15,000 optometrists Bachelor of Optometry (4-year trained as per University Grant Commission Notification 5 July 2014 ) and 50,000  Diploma in Optometry (2-year trained diploma conferred By State Medical Faculty). In order to prevent blindness or [[visual impairment]] more well-trained optometrists are required in India.<ref>Anon (2011), Eyecare for 11 million vision impaired children in India, Optometry and Vision Science, Volume 88, Number 12, page 1532.</ref> The definition of optometry differs considerably in different countries.<ref>Agarwal, R. K. (1985), Optometry in the Indian sub-continent, Optometry Today, Volume 25, No. 14, page 475 (published by the Association of Optometrists, London, England)</ref> India needs more optometry schools offering four-year degree courses with a syllabus similar to that in force in those countries where the practice of optometry is statutorily regulated and well established with an internationally accepted definition.

In 2013, it was reported in the ''[[Indian Journal of Ophthalmology]]'' that poor spectacle compliance amongst school children in rural [[Pune]] resulted in significant vision loss.<ref>{{cite journal | pmid = 23275214 | doi=10.4103/0301-4738.99996 | volume=61 | issue=1 | title=Spectacle compliance amongst rural secondary school children in Pune district, India. | journal=Indian J Ophthalmol | pages=8–12 | pmc=3555005 | year=2013 |vauthors=Gogate P, Mukhopadhyaya D, Mahadik A, Naduvilath TJ, Sane S, Shinde A, Holden B | doi-access=free }}</ref>

In 2015, it was reported that optometrists need to be more involved in providing core optometry services like binocular vision and low vision.<ref>{{cite journal |pmid=25875681 | doi=10.1097/OPX.0000000000000587 | volume=92 | issue=5 | title=Pattern of optometry practice and range of services in India | year=2015 | journal=Optom Vis Sci | pages=615–22 |vauthors=Thite N, Jaggernath J, Chinanayi F, Bharadwaj S, Kunjeer G | s2cid=20038412 }}</ref>

===== History of Optometry Education in India =====
1. In the beginning optometry education started in India during British rule in 1927, the first college was established in West Bengal with the name The Indian College of Optics and the certification was diploma in optometry.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Life Science World |url=https://www.lswlifescienceworld.com/lsw-highlights-04apr-2023-optometry-optometrist-india.php |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=www.lswlifescienceworld.com}}</ref>

After the independence of India, the Directorate General Of Health Services (DGHS) Government of India in 1958, introduced the first (by the Central Government of india) optometry education in the form of a diploma in optometry with the collaboration of UP State Medical Faculty, Government Of Utter Pradesh, under the 2nd 5-year plan. The government offered diplomas in optometry courses of two years duration conferred by State Medical Faculties, empowered under the Indian Medical Degree Act, 1916 (as per Government of India Notification Department of Education, Health and Lands No,1964 dated 16 December 1926, effective from 15 November 1929). The first two schools of optometry were established at Gandhi Eye Hospital, Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh, (the first school of optometry started by Mohan Lal) and at [[Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital]], Hyderabad in Telangana.

2. Subsequently, four more schools were opened across India, situated at Sitapur Eye Hospital, Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh; Chennai (formerly Madras) in Tamil Nadu; Bengalooru (formerly Bangalore) in Karnataka; and the [[Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Thiruvananthapuram]] (formerly Trivandrum) in Kerala.<ref>Agarwal, R. K. (1970), Optometry in India, The Optician, 3 July, page 18 (published in London, England).</ref>

3. The Elite School of Optometry (ESO) was established in 1985 in Chennai (The first school of optometry/college started by S. Badrinath) and was the first to offer a four-year degree course Baccalaureate of Science in Optometry (B.S. Optometry).<ref name=":0" /> The degree was conferred only by the Shanker Netraliya (Elite School of Optometry and the first principal was E. Vaithilingam) instead of any university or state government authority, etc. After that, the B.S. in Optometry (under off-campus mode) was affiliated with Bitis Pilani University, Rajasthan, and now the same course re-affiliated with the new University of State of Tamilnadu, India.

4. The School of Optometry at [[Bharati Vidyapeeth|Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune]], established in 1998, was the first to offer a four-year degree course and confer a Bachelor of Clinical Optometry. The university also provided a pathway for diploma holders to upgrade their education to a Degree of Optometry through a lateral entry program. Also, the first 2 years of the Master of Optometry course were introduced in 2003.

5. [[All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi|AIIMS-Delhi]] introduced a two-year Diploma in Clinical Technology-Optometry (D.C.T. in Optometry) in 1973 and then upgraded the Diploma course to a 3-year B.Sc. (H) in Ophthalmic Technique in 1975. After that, the nomenclature to degree and course of duration changed from B.Sc. (H) to Bachelor of Optometry, four-year duration as per UGC Notification 2014 in the year new first batch of students passed out in the year 2019.

6. At present, there are more than fifty schools of optometry and colleges in India, and over 100 universities confer Bachelor of Optometry (B.Optom) and Master of Optometry (M.Optom) professional degrees. Additionally, Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Optometry are awarded by universities recognized by the [[University Grants Commission (India)]], a statutory body responsible for maintaining standards of higher education in India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ugc.ac.in/oldpdf/regulations/specificationofDegrees.pdf |title=Specs |date=October 2009 |website=www.ugc.ac.in }}</ref>

Optometrists across India are encouraged to register under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021, which was enacted by the Parliament of India in 2021. The Delhi Optometrists Association (DOA) has endorsed all updates related to optometry education in India.

====Malaysia====
It takes four years to complete a degree in optometry. As of 2022, optometry courses have been well received by citizens, with nearly 3,000 registered optometrists.<ref>{{Cite web |last=gloria |date=2022-03-18 |title=Spotlight on Malaysian Optometry |url=https://cookiemagazine.org/spotlight-on-malaysian-optometry/ |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=COOKIE |language=en-US}}</ref> More universities and higher education studies are about to implement the courses, such as the [[National Institute of Ophthalmic Sciences]] in [[Petaling Jaya]]. Other public universities that offer this course include [[National University of Malaysia|University Kebangsaan Malaysia]] (UKM), [[Universiti Teknologi MARA|Universiti Teknologi Mara]] (UiTM), and [[International Islamic University Malaysia]] (IIUM). There are also private universities that offer this course such as [[Management & Science University|Management and Science University]] (MSU) and [[SEGi University and Colleges|SeGi University]]. After completing the Degree in Optometry, optometrists who practice in Malaysia must register with the Malaysian Optical Council (MOC), which is an organization under the Ministry of Health.

The Association of Malaysian Optometrists (AMO) is the only body that represents the Malaysian optometrist profession. All of the members are either local or overseas graduates in the field of optometry.<ref>{{cite web |title=Association of Malaysian Optometrist |url=https://www.amoptom.org/}}</ref>

====Pakistan====
Optometry is taught as a five/four-year Doctor/ Bachelors/ Bachelors with Honors course at many institutions notable among which are Department of Optometry & Vision Sciences (DOVS) FAHS, ICBS, Lahore, Pakistan Institute of Community Ophthalmology (PICO) Peshawar, Pakistan institute of Rehabilitation science Isra University campus Islamabad (PIRS), College of Ophthalmology & Allied Vision Sciences (COAVS) Lahore and Al-Shifa Institute of Ophthalmology Islamabad. After graduation, the optometrists can join a four-tiered service delivery level (Centre of Excellence, Tertiary/Teaching, District headquarter and sub-district /Tehsil headquarters). M.Phil. in Optometry is also available at select institutions such as King Edward Medical University, Lahore. Department of Optometry & Vision Sciences (DOVS) FAHS, ICBS, Lahore started bridging programmes for Bachelors/ Bachelors with Honors to become Doctor of Optometry OD, Post Professional Doctor of Optometry (PP-OD), Transitional Doctor of Optometry (t-OD). Optometry is not yet a regulated field in Pakistan as there is no professional licensing board or authority responsible for issuing practise licenses to qualified optometrists. This creates difficulty for Pakistani optometrists who wish to register abroad. The University of Lahore has recently launched Doctor of Optometry (OD). Imam Hussain Medical University also launched the Doctor of Optometry Program. The chairman of Imam Hussain Medical University, Sabir Hussain Babachan, vowed to regulate the OD curriculum according to international standards.

====Philippines====
Optometry is regulated by the [[Professional Regulation Commission|Professional Regulation Commission of the Philippines]]. To be eligible for licensing, each candidate must have satisfactorily completed a doctor of optometry course at an accredited institution and demonstrate good moral character with no previous record of professional misconduct. Professional organizations of optometry in the Philippines include Optometric Association of the Philippines<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://philippineoptometry.net/|title=Optometry Update - Optometry News And Updates}}</ref> and Integrated Philippine Association of Optometrists, Inc. (IPAO).

====Saudi Arabia====
In Saudi Arabia, optometrists must complete a five-year doctor of optometry degree from [[Qassim University]] and [[King Saud University]]. Also, they must complete a one-year residency.

====Singapore====
Tertiary education for optometrists consists of a 3-year diploma in optometry offered at institutions such as [[Singapore Polytechnic]] and [[Ngee Ann Polytechnic]]

====Taiwan====
The education of optometry in Taiwan commenced in 1982 at Shu-Zen College of Medicine and Management.<ref>[http://163.15.68.82/usr/optometry/english_web/index.html "Department of Optometry, Shu-Zen College of Medicine and Management"]</ref> Bachelor degrees in optometry can be obtained from seven universities (North to South): [[University of Kang Ning]], [[Yuanpei University of Medical Technology]], [[Asia University (Taiwan)|Asia University]], [[Central Taiwan University of Science and Technology]], [[Chung Shan Medical University]], [[Dayeh University]], and [[Chung Hwa University of Medical Technology]]; whereas associate degrees in optometry can be obtained from Mackay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, [[Hsin Sheng College of Medical Care and Management]], Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management, and Shu-Zen College of Medicine and Management.<ref>Wikipedia, [[List of optometry schools#Taiwan|"List of Optometry Schools"]]</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Woo |first1=George C. |last2=Liwa |first2=Helen |date=2023-10-30 |title=Development of Optometry in Taiwan |url=https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/hindsight/article/view/36693/39555 |journal=Hindsight: Journal of Optometry History |language=en |volume=54 |issue=1 |doi=10.14434/hindsight.v54i1.36693 |issn=2374-3271|hdl=10397/102695 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>

The Law of Optometrists was established in Taiwan in 2015; since then, optometry students after obtaining optometry degrees, need to pass the National Optometry Examination of Taiwan to be registered as optometrists.<ref name=":1" /><ref>[https://wwwc.moex.gov.tw/main/ExamLaws/wfrmExamLaws.aspx?kind=3&menu_id=320&laws_id=281 "專門職業及技術人員高等暨普通考試驗光人員考試規則"]</ref> There are approximately 4,000 optometrists in Taiwan as of 2020, and around 400 new optometrists register annunally (2018-2020).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.public.com.tw/exam-license/optometrist-quota|title=驗光師及格率/驗光生及格率與及格人數統計|website=公職王|date=27 November 2017 }}</ref>

====Thailand====
Since late 1990, Thailand has set a goal to provide more than 600 optometrists to meet the minimal public demands and international standards in vision care. There are more than three university degree programs in Thailand. Each program accepts students that have completed grade 12th or the third year in high school (following US education model). These programs offer "Doctor of Optometry" degree to graduates from the program that will take six years to complete the courses. Practising optometrists will also be required to pass licensing examination (three parts examinations) that is administrated through a committee under the Ministry of Public Health.

As of 2015, the number of practicing optometrists in Thailand is still fewer than one hundred. However, it has projected that the number of practising optometrists in Thailand will greatly increase within the next ten years. In the theoretical scenario, the number of optometrists should be able to meet minimal public demands around 2030 or earlier.