Career focus - Optometry: Like the dentist (but perhaps not quite so scary) the optometrist is with us from a very young age and even those gifted with good vision find the familiar pyramid eye chart makes the odd appearance throughout their lives.
The main duties of the optometrist involve examining the eyes, measuring vision defects and preparing lens prescriptions when required. However, according to Peter Davison, senior lecturer at the DIT school of optometry, there's a lot more to the job. "Optometrists test colour vision, binocular vision - to see if the eyes are co-ordinating properly. They do vision tests for driving licenses for suitability for work with computer screens."
Along with carrying out the eye tests they will also need to decide which types of corrective measures suit the condition, or the patient, when preparing the prescription. "They will advise on the type of lens to use. Glasses, contact lenses or safety goggles, for work or sport - not everybody is suited to contact lenses. The optometrist will then decide which material is most suitable for the lens and most will be involved in dispensing the glasses or contacts."
Dispensing lenses could, however, be left to the dispensing optician who does not have the same training as the optometrist and cannot do any sight testing or other eye examinations. Optometrists are also known as ophthalmic opticians but neither term should be confused with ophthalmologist. An ophthalmologist is a fully qualified medical doctor who specialises in treating diseases and conditions relating to the eye.
The optometrist does have contact with the medical profession, says Davison. Optometrists will be able to detect if a patient has an eye disease or problem which needs referral to the doctor. The retina at the back of the eye is one of the few places where the blood vessels can be seen clearly, so the optometrist may also detect an illnesses affecting the vascular system, such as diabetes.
"In all cases if a disease is not already being treated, the optometrist will refer the patient, firstly to their GP, but sometimes directly to the hospital, in the case of a detached retina, for example," he says. Injuries to the eye are treated by the doctor. Laser surgery is also preformed by the ophthalmologist although optometrists may be involved in making measurements before the operation.
Once fully qualified, an optometrist can establish a practice straight away, however, starting out, most will gain experience with a bigger company or a franchise or go into partnership with a more established optometrist.
"The vast majority work with patients of all ages," Davison says, "but one or two might be interested in working with children or the elderly in fitting special devises like telescopic aids."
No matter what type of practice you go into, contact with the public is part of the job. "It's important if you're considering optometry that you're happy with the idea of working with people. It's necessary to be patient and systematic and logically apply routines, but it's also important to be a good communicator," he says.
The DIT course includes both academic subjects and practical work. There is quite a lot of science involved, but this becomes more applied as the years progress. There are also language and business components and the course includes a six-month period of supervision in an optometrist's practice.
Continuing education and updating of skills is important to optometrists, says Kevin Culliton of the Association of Optometrists Ireland. "The association arranges a regular series of seminars and lectures. Things are developing all the time and one has to keep up to date. There are always new things happening in instrument or lens design and examinations and fitting techniques are developing constantly."
