Optometry

OPTOMETRY 1. Definition of Optometry by the World Council of Optometry (WCO) The World Council of Optometry (WCO) defines optometry as: "Optometry is a healthcare profession that is autonomous, educated and regulated (licensed/registered), and optometrists are the primary healthcare practitioners of the eye and visual system who provide comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, detection/diagnosis and management of disease in the eye, and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system." Key points from the WCO definition: Optometry is an autonomous healthcare profession. Optometrists are primary eye care practitioners. They examine the eyes and visual system. They prescribe spectacles and contact lenses. They diagnose and manage many eye diseases. They provide visual rehabilitation and refer patients when necessary. 2. Definition of Optometry According to Nigeria's Decree No. 34 of 1989 (Now Cap O9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004) The Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians (Registration, etc.) Act, Decree No. 34 of 1989, defines optometry as: A healthcare profession specializing in the art and science of vision care whose scope of practice includes: Eye examinations to determine refractive errors and other departures from the optimally healthy and visually efficient eye. Correction of refractive errors using spectacles, contact lenses, low vision aids and other devices. Correction of errors of binocularity through vision training (orthoptics). Diagnosis and management of minor ocular infections that do not threaten the integrity of the eye or visual system. Ocular first aid. Nigerian Optometric Association(NOA) 3. What is Optometry as a Health Care Profession? Optometry is a primary healthcare profession concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of disorders affecting the eyes and visual system. An optometrist is often the first point of contact for patients with eye and vision problems. Roles of an Optometrist An optometrist: Performs comprehensive eye examinations. Detects refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and presbyopia). Prescribes spectacles and contact lenses. Diagnoses and manages many eye diseases such as: Glaucoma Cataract (detection and referral) Dry eye disease Allergic conjunctivitis Minor eye infections Provides low vision rehabilitation. Detects systemic diseases with ocular manifestations, such as: Diabetes mellitus Hypertension Provides vision therapy for binocular vision disorders. Gives emergency ocular first aid. Refers patients when necessary. Promotes eye health through patient education and preventive care. 4. Requirements for Admission into a Nigerian Optometry Programme (According to NUC and ODORBN): The National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN) regulate optometry education in Nigeria. A. UTME (100 Level) Admission Requirements Candidates must have five (5) credit passes, preferably in one sitting, in: 1)English Language 2)Mathematics 3)Biology 4)Chemistry 5)Physics They must also: Sit for the JAMB UTME. Choose an accredited university offering the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) programme,e.g. DENNIS OSADEBAY UNIVERSITY (DOU), ASABA. NIGERIA. Meet the university's cut-off mark. Pass the Post-UTME or screening exercise. B. JAMB Subject Combination 1)English Language (Compulsory) 2)Biology 3)Chemistry 4)Physics C. Direct Entry Requirements Candidates may gain admission into 200 Level with: GCE Advanced Level passes in Biology, Chemistry and Physics (or equivalent approved qualifications), or other approved relevant qualifications, provided they also possess the required five O'Level credits. Duration of Study The Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) programme lasts six (6) years, including extensive clinical training before graduation. 5. Career Pathways for Optometrists Optometrists have numerous career opportunities. A) CLINICAL PRACTICE: *Private optometry clinics *Group eye clinics *Community eye care centres B) HOSPITAL PRACTICE: *Federal Teaching Hospitals *Federal Medical Centres (FMCs) *State Specialist Hospitals *Military hospitals *Private hospitals C) ACADEMIA: *University lecturer *Clinical instructor *Research scientist C) PUBLIC HEALTH: *Community eye health *School eye health programmes *Vision screening programmes *Blindness prevention programmes D) INDUSTRY: *Ophthalmic pharmaceutical companies *Optical manufacturing companies *Contact lens companies *Medical equipment companies E) RESEARCH: *Vision science research *Contact lens research *Low vision research *Ocular disease research F) GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY AGENCIES: *Federal Ministry of Health *State Ministries of Health *ODORBN *Public health agencies F) INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: *World Health Organization (WHO) *International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) *World Council of Optometry (WCO) G) NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS(NGOs)INVOLVED IN EYE CARE: *International Association of Lions Club * H) AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION: *Pediatric Optometry *Contact Lens Practice *Low Vision Rehabilitation *Sports Vision *Occupational Vision *Vision Therapy *Ocular Disease Management *Geriatric Optometry *Public Health Optometry I) ENTREPRENEURSHIP: *Establishing a private optometry clinic *Optical dispensing practice *Contact lens practice *Ophthalmic equipment and spectacle retail *Eye care consultancy SUMMARY: Optometry is an autonomous, regulated healthcare profession dedicated to eye and vision care. The World Council of Optometry defines it as the primary healthcare profession for the eye and visual system, while Nigeria's Decree No. 34 of 1989 (now Cap O9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004) defines its legal scope to include eye examinations, correction of refractive errors, binocular vision care, management of minor ocular diseases, and ocular first aid. Admission into Nigerian Doctor of Optometry programmes requires five O'Level credits in English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, appropriate JAMB subjects, and successful university screening. Graduates can pursue careers in clinical practice, hospitals, academia, research, public health, industry, government, international organizations, and specialized areas of eye care. Department of Optometry Faculty of Allied Health Sciences (Allied Medical Sciences) Dennis Osadebay University (DOU), Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria Overview The Department of Optometry is one of the professional departments in the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences at Dennis Osadebay University (DOU), Asaba. It offers the Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree programme, which prepares students to become primary eye care practitioners capable of providing comprehensive eye and vision care through teaching, clinical training, research, and community service. The department is listed among the Faculty's academic units on the university's official website. ? Dennis Osadebay University History The Department of Optometry was established following the creation of Dennis Osadebay University in 2021, as part of the university's expansion into professional health science education. The programme subsequently received approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) and was introduced as one of the university's professional health programmes. ? Dennis Osadebay University +1 Degree Awarded The department offers the: Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) The O.D. is the professional degree required for registration and practice as an optometrist in Nigeria, subject to meeting the requirements of the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN). The programme is designed as a six-year professional course that combines classroom instruction, laboratory work, clinical training, and supervised patient care. ? Dennis Osadebay University +1 NUC Approval The Doctor of Optometry programme is listed among the NUC-approved and active academic programmes at Dennis Osadebay University. The university's published programme list indicates that the O.D. programme received approval during the 2023/2024 approval cycle and remains active. ? Dennis Osadebay University Educational Philosophy The Department seeks to produce optometrists who are: Scientifically knowledgeable. Clinically competent. Ethically responsible. Community-oriented. Skilled in evidence-based eye care. Committed to lifelong learning and research. Its training emphasizes both preventive and curative eye care, reflecting the evolving needs of Nigeria's healthcare system. ? Dennis Osadebay University Programme Objectives The Doctor of Optometry programme is designed to enable graduates to: Perform comprehensive eye examinations. Diagnose refractive errors. Prescribe spectacles and contact lenses. Detect and manage common ocular diseases. Provide low vision rehabilitation. Deliver vision therapy where indicated. Promote eye health through community outreach. Conduct scientific research in vision science and eye health. Collaborate with ophthalmologists and other healthcare professionals in patient management. Curriculum The programme follows the benchmark standards for optometry education in Nigeria and typically includes the following areas: Basic Medical Sciences Human Anatomy Human Physiology Biochemistry Medical Microbiology Pharmacology Pathology Vision Sciences Geometrical and Physical Optics Visual Optics Ocular Anatomy Ocular Physiology Ocular Pharmacology Clinical Optometry General Optometry Ocular Disease Contact Lens Practice Pediatric Optometry Binocular Vision Low Vision Rehabilitation Geriatric Optometry Public Health Optometry Occupational Vision Primary Eye Care Clinical Training Students undertake: Clinical postings in eye clinics. Community vision screening programmes. Hospital-based clinical rotations. Practical patient management under supervision. Research projects in vision science. Research The department encourages research in areas such as: Refractive errors. Public health optometry. Blindness prevention. Community eye health. Ocular diseases. Vision screening. Contact lenses. Visual impairment. Low vision rehabilitation. Evidence of scholarly activity includes publications by departmental staff on topics such as visual impairment in Delta State, integration of eye care into primary healthcare, and other public health issues. ACADEMIC STAFF OF OPTOMETRY AND VISION SCIENCE: The Department of Optometry and Vision Science is staffed by qualified optometrists and academics with expertise in clinical optometry, public health optometry, and vision science. The Department is headed by the pioneer optometric staff with over three decades of clinical experience, and a consultant public health optometrist,Dr. Helen Omonigho Ovberedjo Lucky-Udi (B.Sc,O.D,M.BA,M.HPM,FNPCO,FNOA,DA.) Table: Academic staff List. FUTURE PROSPECTS: As one of the university's newer professional programmes, the Department of Optometry is positioned to expand its clinical facilities, research capacity, and community outreach activities. Its focus on comprehensive eye care, public health, and evidence-based practice is intended to produce graduates who can contribute meaningfully to reducing avoidable blindness and visual impairment in Delta State, Nigeria, and beyond.