New Advancements in the field of Optometry - Part 1

Optometry is one of the sub-courses offered under health science courses. There are several career opportunities after BSc optometry. Optometry offers freedom in practice location selection, flexibility, variety, and satisfaction while providing valuable healthcare employment. BSc Optometry graduates, pioneers in primary eye care, assist patients and their families in taking the first step toward having healthier bodies and eyes. Doctors of optometry can direct patients to the appropriate preventative strategies or the following steps in formal diagnosis and treatment if a disease or other issue is found.

Optometrists handle the majority of the eye's basic medical needs. They are trained right from their BSc optometry course. One can pursue a doctorate in optometry after four years of BSc optometry. After graduating from BSc optometry school, some optometrists pursue extra clinical training or do a speciality fellowship.

Recently there have been advancements in the health science courses post-pandemic. Not only there's advancement in the BSc optometry syllabus, but the entire professional sector as a whole.  Right from the job positions available to changed ways of doing tests, and remote check-ups, a major shift and dependency on online means.

Here we will mention a few major changes and shifts observed during the advancement.

Sales of products online Get Powered Up:

• Following the COVID-19 outage, several offices reopened to discover an accumulation of prescription verification faxes from internet contact lens merchants. Noticeably, more people bought products online, including eyeglasses and contact lenses, during the major lockdown phase.
• Consumers who want to purchase glasses or contact lenses without having a thorough eye exam are now drawn to online prescription renewal. Optometrists may anticipate these technologies becoming more user-friendly, quick, and accurate as the market for online vision correction expands.
• It's noticed that amid the shutdown, internet ordering through independent eye care practitioners increased up to 300%. Whereas, direct distribution to patients continues to expand at a pace of about 50%, indicating a more substantial change. According to the experts, contact lens subscriptions have also increased.

Under these conditions, the transition to online prescription renewals and eyewear and contact lens purchases seems natural, which accounts for this channel's rising popularity.

Office modifications

• Optometry practice is getting more difficult. In order to confirm that individuals do not have COVID-19 symptoms and have not been around somebody who is being tested or has tested positive for the virus. The majority of practices ask pre-appointment screening questions and have fewer openings for appointments. Almost all practices now prioritise cleanliness and safety gear.
• Patients that don't show up, cancel, or reschedule last-minute appointments are much more expensive. This is due to increased operational costs and decreased appointment availability. Some offices now demand deposits from clients in order to reserve an appointment.
• There is a need to generate income from both services and products. There's a need to build a wall of defence around an optometrist's practice with the service offerings - since they cannot be as readily commoditized as the other sales channels because they cannot compete in the professional services sector.
• In addition to ongoing illness management, BSc Optometry experts argue that vertical service expansion is a necessary adjunct for enhanced profitability. They suggest a method to achieve both objectives at once is to use fee-for-service technologies. These solutions might allow optometrists to expand their medical care services to an existing patient base. Help them generate new fee-for-service revenues while improving the overall quality of treatment for their patients.
• Offering more expensive goods and specialised services, minimising face-to-face connection, and emphasising convenience all have economic benefits. This covers medical treatments, myopia control, low vision, vision rehabilitation, and speciality contact lenses.
• BSc Optometry graduates observed that it's challenging to stand out when your business depends on the selling of common and homogenous commodities. On the other hand, broadening the scope of care for ocular diseases is a terrific opportunity to improve patient care. All of this while creating new recurring revenue streams independent of the sale of optical goods.

Medical Telephony Services

• In an intriguing turn of events, despite optometric supporters previously opposing remote eye care due to risks associated with online refraction, the field has seemingly changed its mind.
• Optometry needs to realize that telemedicine has become an acceptable technology. It will maintain a presence going ahead and that online eye care is here to stay.
• The term "telemedicine" describes a broad spectrum of remote medical technology. Telemedicine used to be appealing because it made access to care in rural places easier. Physical separation is the driving force today in order to lessen contagion.
• The phone is one of the most basic, though not often evident, methods of telemedicine. By providing consultations in this manner, the majority of doctors have unwittingly provided telemedicine.
• However, consideration is being given to flashier technologies including video chat. Platforms like Eyecare Live and others uphold the doctor-patient relationship,
• give patients greater access to a variety of care options,
• increase a doctor's presence, assist in patient triage,
• lower the number of in-office visits at a time when patients may be reluctant to go to the doctor's office.
• These technologies allow clinicians to diagnose and treat low-stakes illnesses including allergic conjunctivitis, hordeola, and blepharitis.
• While telemedicine has a place in BSc Optometry, its continued use will be influenced by a number of different circumstances.

We can see that uncertainty can be experienced mostly in health care. Optical health care is one of the basic health care treatments. The need for optometrists is increasing and so is the demand for BSC Optometry and, M.Sc optometry courses.

ITM Vocational University offers health science courses. They offer four-year BSc optometry which not only provides excellent theoretical knowledge but also robust practical knowledge. The teaching is curated based on the up-to-date advancements in the field. You can find more about the optometry course details on their website. With 1 year of integrated clinical training, the BSc optometry course gives you an opportunity to learn first-hand before you join the industry.

The advancements in the BSc optometry field have opened doors to the ones who are active, good at problem-solving during uncertain situations and good with tech. With the right skills and a BSc optometry degree, you will lead to a successful career with amazing business opportunities.