Optometry in Nepalese Context: The Profession Beyond Providing Refraction Services

  • Dinesh Kaphle School of Optometry and Vision Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
  • Himal Kandel Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
  • Prakash Paudel BPK Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies, Institute of Medicine, Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.3523

Optometry is an independent profession which is specialised for providing comprehensive eye care including refraction and dispensing services, diagnosis and management of eye diseases and visual rehabilitation. In clinical settings of Nepal, optometrists are primarily recognised as refractionists and are provided with working opportunities in the same area. This report highlights other optomet- ric services such as binocular vision, multifocal lenses, contact lenses and occupational lens design which can be provided by optometrists besides performing refraction and prescribing spectacles. Considering large proportion of optometrists with further education and being working outside the country, new specialised services can be introduced through training and workshop to the fellow optometrists so that specialised services can reach up to the public level.

Keywords: Nepal; optometry; refraction services.

Published
2019-05-17
Issue
Vol 57 No 215 (2019): Jan-Feb
Section
Viewpoint