Licensing

Most countries have regulations concerning optometry education and practice. Optometrists like many other health care professionals are required to participate in ongoing continuing education courses to stay current on the latest standards of care.
Optometry is officially recognized:

• in North America (Canada and US)
• in Latin America and some Caribbean countries
• in most English speaking countries including UK, Republic of Ireland and Australia
• in Europe including Spain, Germany and France
• in Asia including Malaysia, China, Hong Kong, Thailand and Taiwan
• in the Middle East including Saudi Arabia and Iran

Malaysia

Licensing of optometry practices in Malaysia are under the responsibility of Malaysian Optical Council and under controlled by Optical Act Malaysia (Optical Act 1991).

Optometrists wanted to practice optometry are required to apply for annual practicing certificate from the council. It is stated under that act that no person shall practise optometry unless he is a registered person (optometrist or optician).

Only the registered optometrist can prescribe or dispense contact lenses.

However, Malaysian Optical Council may permits opticians to prescribe or dispense contact lenses with certain requirements.

Meanwhile, there is prohibition for registered optometrists against the use of drugs to measure powers of vision but may they may use them for refractive purposes such drugs as may deemed suitable by the council from time to time.

United Kingdom


In the United Kingdom, optometrists have to complete a 3 or 4 year undergraduate honours degree followed by a minimum of a one-year "pre-registration period" where they complete supervised practice under the supervision of an experienced qualified practitioner.


During this year the pre-registration candidate is given a number of quarterly assessments and on successfully passing all of these assessments, a final one-day set of examinations. Following successful completion of these assessments and having completed one year's supervised practice, the candidate qualifies for membership of The College of Optometrists and is eligible to register as an optometrist with the General Optical Council (GOC).


There are 6 universities which offer Optometry in England, they are: Anglia Ruskin University, Aston University, Bradford University, Cardiff University, London City, and Manchester University.


Registration with the GOC is mandatory to practice in the UK. Members of the College of Optometrists may use the suffix MCOptom. Optometrists in the United Kingdom, as in most countries except the United States and Canada, receive a Bachelor of Optometry or Masters degree. They are not called "doctor" in the United Kingdom.



United States


US optometrists complete a 4-year program that leads to a Doctorate in Optometry (O.D.) degree.


Many optometrists complete a one- or two-year residency to specialize. A sample curriculum is available from the Inter American University School of Optometry.


As primary eye care providers, doctors of optometry are an integral part of the health care team. Prior to admittance into optometry school, optometrists typically complete four years of undergraduate study, culminating in a bachelor’s degree. Required undergraduate coursework for pre-optometry students covers a variety of health, science and mathematics courses.


Optometry school consists of four years of study focusing on the eye, vision, and some systemic diseases. In addition to profession-specific courses, optometrists are required to take health courses that focus on a patient’s overall medical condition as it relates to the eyes.


Upon completion of optometry school, candidates graduate from accredited college of optometry and hold the optometry (OD) degree.


Optometrists must pass a rigorous national examination administered by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) http://www.optometry.org/passfail.cfm. The three-part exam includes basic science, clinical science and patient care. (The structure and format of the NBEO exams are subject to change beginning in 2008.)


Some optometrists go on to complete residencies with training in a specific sub-specialty. These specialties include pediatric care, children’s vision, geriatric care, specialty contact lens (for keratoconus patients or other corneal dystrophy) and many others. All optometrists are required to participate in ongoing continuing education courses to stay current on the latest standards of care.



Argentina


In Argentina optometrists are required to register with the local Ministry of Public Information, but licensing is not required. Anyone holding a Bachelor's degree may register as an optometrist after completing a written exam. Fees for the exam are set by the provincial government and vary from province to province.



Colombia


In Colombia optometry education has been accredited by the Ministry of Health. The last official revision to the laws regarding health care standards for the country was issued in 1992 through the Law 30.


Currently there are eight official Universities that are entitled by ICFES to grant the Optometrist certification. The first optometrist arrived to the country from North America and Europe circa 1914. These professionals were specialized in optics and refraction.


In 1933 under Decree 449 and 1291 the Colombian Government officially set the rules for the formation of professionals in the area of optometry. In 1966 La Salle University opens its first Faculty in Optometry after a recommendation of a group of professionals.


At the present time optometrists are encouraged to keep up with new technologies through congresses and scholarships granted by the government or private companies (such as Bausch & Lomb).



Europe


Currently, optometry education and licencing varies throughout Europe.


For example, in Germany, optometric tasks are performed by ophthalmologists and professionally trained and certified opticians.


In France, there is no regulatory framework and optometrists are sometimes trained by completing an apprenticeship at an ophthalmologists' private office.


Since the formation of the European Union, "there exists a strong movement, headed by the Association of European Schools and Colleges of Optometry (AESCO), to unify the profession by creating a European-wide examination for optometry" and presumably also standardised practice and education guidelines within EU countries.



Ireland


The profession of Optometry has been represented for over a century by the Association of Optometrists, Ireland [AOI]. In Ireland an optometrist must first complete a four year degree in Optometry at D.I.T. Kevin Street.


Following successful completion of the a degree, an optometrist must then complete Professional Qualifying Examinations in order to be entered into the register of the Opticians Board [Bord na Radharcmhaistoiri]. Optometrists must be registered with the Board in order to practice in the Republic of Ireland.


The A.O.I. runs a comprehensive continuing education and professional development program on behalf of Irish optometrists. The legislation governing Optometry was drafted in 1956. The legislation restricts optometrists from using their full range of skills, training and equipment for the benefit of the Irish public. The amendment to the Act in 2003 addressed one of the most significant restrictions - the use of cycloplegic drugs to examine children.