Editing Optometry (section)

===Africa===
In 1993 there were five countries in Africa with optometric teaching institutes: [[Sudan]], [[Ghana]], [[Nigeria]], [[South Africa]] and [[Tanzania]].<ref>{{cite journal |pmid=8245395 |title=Optometric education and optometry in Africa |journal=  [[Journal of the American Optometric Association]]|date=October 1993 |volume=64 |issue=10 |pages=726–729 |last=Penisten |first=DK}}</ref> Ethiopia started in 2002 at UoG. There are currently two universities ([[Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology|MMUST]] & Kaimosi Friends University) offering Bachelor of Science in Optometry and Vision Sciences in Kenya.

====Sudan====
Sudan's major institution for the training of optometrists is the Faculty of Optometry and Visual Sciences (FOVS), originally established in 1954 as the Institute of Optometry in Khartoum; the Institute joined with the Ministry of Higher Education in 1986 as the High Institute of Optometry, and was ultimately annexed into Alneelain University in 1997 when it was renamed the FOVS. The FOVS offers several programs: a BSc in Optometry, which takes 5 years and includes sub-specialization in [[orthoptics]], contact lenses, ocular photography, or ocular neurology; a BSc in Ophthalmic Technology, requiring 4 years of training; and a BSc in Optical Dispensary, completed in 4 years. The FOVS also offers MSc and PhD degrees in optometry. The FOVS is the only institute of its kind in Sudan and was the first institution of higher education in Optometry in the Middle East and Africa.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}} In 2010, Alneelain University Eye Hospital was established as part of the FOVS to expand training capacity and to serve broader Sudanese community.

====Ghana====
The [[Ghana Optometric Association]] (GOA) regulates the practice of [[Optometry in Ghana]]. The [[Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home - Department of Optometry & Visual Science |url=https://optometry.knust.edu.gh/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=optometry.knust.edu.gh}}</ref> and the [[University of Cape Coast]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=SOVS {{!}} School of Optometry and Vision Science |url=https://sovs.ucc.edu.gh/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=sovs.ucc.edu.gh}}</ref> are the two universities that offer the degree programme in the country. After the six-year training at any of the two universities offering the course, the O.D. degree is awarded. The new optometrist must write a qualifying exam, after which the optometrist is admitted as a member of the GOA, leading to the award of the title MGOA.

====Mozambique====
The first optometry course in [[Mozambique]] was started in 2009 at [[Lúrio University|Universidade Lurio]], [[Nampula]]. The course is part of the Mozambique Eyecare Project. [[University of Ulster]], [[Dublin Institute of Technology]] and [[Brien Holden Vision Institute]] are supporting partners. As of 2019, 61 Mozambican students had graduated with optometry degrees
from UniLúrio (34 male and 27 female).<ref>Thompson et al. 2019. Addressing avoidable vision impairment in Mozambique and the Africa region. Development in Practice. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09614524.2018.1521786</ref>

====Nigeria====
In Nigeria, optometry is regulated by the [[Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria]] established under the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians (Registration etc.) Act of 1989 (Cap O9 Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004). The Board publishes from time to time lists of approved qualifications and training institutions in the federal government gazette.<ref>cap O9 Laws of Federation of Nigeria 2004</ref> 

Optometry education began at the [[University of Benin (Nigeria)|University of Benin]] in 1970, initially as a four-year bachelor's degree program, making it the first optometry school in West Africa. In 1980, [[Abia State University]] introduced the Doctor of Optometry program. The University of Benin upgraded its program to the Doctor of Optometry degree in 1994. Subsequently, Doctor of Optometry programs were established at other public and private universities. The Doctor of Optometry degree is awarded after six years of training at one of the accredited universities located in Edo, Imo, Kano, Kwara, and Abia states.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Abu |first=Sampson Listowell |date=October 2020 |title=The history and current status of optometric education in Nigeria |url=https://scholarworks.iu.edu/journals/index.php/hindsight/article/download/31557/35804 |journal=Hindsight: Journal of Optometry History |volume=51 |issue=4 |pages=4|doi=10.14434/hindsight.v51i4.31557 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 2016 |title=Situation Analysis of Optometry in Africa |url=https://www.iapb.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Situation-Analysis-of-Optometry-in-Africa_June-2016.pdf |access-date=October 5, 2024 |website=The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness}}</ref>