Optometry---Institutions &associations

World Council of Optometry (WCO)

World Council of Optometry (WCO) is a nonprofit, worldwide organization. According to WCO, optometry is a healthcare profession that is autonomous, educated and regulated. Optometrists are primary health care practitioners who provide comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, detection/diagnosis and management of disease of the eye, and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system.

World Council of Optometry realises that the profession of optometry is defined and practiced differently in the individual countries. It recognizes those titles and activities of the optometric profession, which are customarily used in each member country.

The Indian Optometric Association

The Indian Optometric Association is a registered body under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1978, with the "The Registrar of Societies", Madras Central ,Chennai -600018.The registered office address of Indian Optometric Association is with Mr.Dinesh Shah, Savera Opticians, No.7 Rosy Tower, Nungambakkam High Road, Chennai (Madras) - 600034.

Indian Optometric Association is registered with World Council of Optometry.

All international correspondence is done at the permanent secretariat at Pune with one Executive Member in charge of the office. Its address - Mr. Amod S. Gogate, Executive Member,375,Narayan Path, Gogate Opticians, Laxmi Road, Pune, India -411 030.

Optometric Education and Training programme in India

In 1962 at Aligarh, Sitapur & Delhi, the first course in optometry was started , all being attached to medical colleges. Following the Aligarh school of Optometry, seven more schools were established in various parts of the country, associated with medical colleges. They conduct a 2 year diploma course in optometry.

Elite School of Optometry, Chennai

In 1985, Elite School of Optometry, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai started the first four year degree course as "Baccalaureate in Optometry". It was started under the guidance and with the assistance of the Berkeley School of Optometry, California, U.S.A., who helped in forming its syllabus.

Since 1994, the teaching program in optometry at the Elite school has been accepted as a degree course by the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani and is now termed as Bachelor in Science (Optometry). It is an off-campus program of BITS in collaboration with the Elite School of Optometry, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai. Every year 20 students are admitted after an entrance exam and an interview.

Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University, School of Optometry, Pune :

In 1998, under the able guidance of Mr.Amod Gogate the BVPDU, Pune started its four year course in optometry. Those having completed Diploma in Optometry from other recognized Institutes join the third year and after completing their internship can also receive the Bachelor in Optometry. About 20 students are admitted to the first year after an entrance exam and an interview.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences,(AIIMS), New Delhi.

In 1978, at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, (AIIMS), New Delhi, the diploma courses in optometry and orthoptics were combined and upgraded to a three year degree course as Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Ophthalmic techniques. Upto 12 students are enrolled each year, after an all India entrance exam and an interview.

Municipal Eye Hospital School of Optometry and SNDT University dept. of Ophthalmic techniques, Mumbai.

There are two schools in the Mumbai city at present the SNDT University admits about 25 girls in Ophthalmic Techniques after the X standard. Other course is of two years of teaching and one year of internship at the Municipal Eye Hospital, Nagpada, Mumbai. The admission level is standard XII (Science). A total of 12 students are admitted every year and till date there are only about 100 optometrists certified by the school.