b optometry

Skills developed during optometry course

Akash Laxman Lakade

4 min
Skills developed during optometry course

The profession of optometry is understood to be the provision of primary vision care by professionals who have completed an optometry course. The primary duty of an Optometrist is to examine the patient thoroughly and prescribe glasses based on the results of the examination. In addition to treating the patient's primary complaints, the options also take care of their preliminary findings. A doctor (ophthalmologist) further diagnoses the patients after that. Optometry aims to determine eyesight, prescribe corrective lenses, and diagnose eye disease. Most eye diseases can be detected, treated, and prescribed medicines by eye doctors. Generally, healthcare professionals providing primary vision care have a thorough knowledge of prescription glasses history. The optometrist learns these all in detail in the optometry course. Optoms are an essential part of the eye care system. They are experts in visual health monitoring and interpretation and are likely to spend full time with customers/patients in optical stores or hospitals. This gives every person great opportunities to suggest the "Right Vision Solution" based on lifestyle and visual status. Every optometrist should acquire specific skills and techniques to establish a promising career in this field. They develop these skills in optometry courses.


Skills developed during optometry course:

Keeping in touch with the patient Communication abilities are among the essential ability an optometrist can learn in the optometry course. One needs good communication with the patient to conduct a perfect workup. Professionals say that the crucial step of treatment is understanding the patient's needs. Optometrists should understand the basic needs through proper communication with the patients. History of the patient related to health. It may vary from an adult to a child. As mentioned earlier, the illness tells us about an adult's past. The next skill we should have must be the proper knowledge about the workup. We must know what we are going to do. It must start with detailed history taking. He must be completely aware of the things he is asking. The history of every patient will be different; for example the history of a child and an adult will be different. He must also be informed of what kind of questions to ask the various groups. This all training is provided to the candidate during the optometry course.

The eye examinationHuman vision is the most important sense of all senses. The assessment of vision / visual evaluation is a crucial part of the function of an optometrist. Let us focus our discussion on the following essential components of an optometrist, which they learn in the optometry course.

  • Vision assessment/ Taking of visual acuity
  • External ocular examination
  • Internal ocular examination / Fundus examination
  • Visual field examination


The visual acuityIt is essential to test both distance and near acuity [with/without glasses]. A series of visual tests are conducted by eye doctors or optometrists to determine this, including reading letters sized down on a wall. Having 20/20 vision means an eye can see something 20 feet away that should be visible or easily readable 20 feet away. The candidate will imbibe theoretical and practical training while pursuing an Optometry course.

  • Measured visual acuity and refraction.
  • Performed eye check-ups and used instruments to verify the perception and visual acuity of the eye as directed by the appropriate faculty of the optometry course.
  • Checked patient's visual acuity and performed visual fields and laser scans of the optic nerve and retina.
  • Evaluate the patient's visual acuity, depth and colour perception, as well as their ability to focus and coordinate their eyes.
  • Assessment of visual acuity and perception, as well as coordination and focus. Provided eyeglasses and contact lens care instructions to patients


Patient CareA healthcare provider's role includes diagnosing, treating, and controlling a patient's illness, as well as maintaining the patient's physical and emotional wellbeing. Health practitioners or non-professionals provide patient care under the supervision of optometry course experts. Training optometry courses teach fresh optometrists how to care for their patients in the following ways:

  • Responsible for overseeing all aspects of the business, including personnel, patient care, and insurance claims.
  • Developed practice protocols, which organized and improved patient care, insurance billing, and electronic medical records.
  • Collaborated closely with the adjoining host optical company in order to deliver quality training in optometry.
  • Provided outstanding primary patient care to adults, children, and international patients in the community.
  • Work with team members, including staff and management of the optometry course, to improve patient care during biweekly meetings.


A customer-focused serviceIn order to provide excellent customer service, one must answer all questions, solve problems, and provide excellent assistance to all existing and potential customers. Building a strong relationship with customers is what customer service is all about so that they return for more business. This is also an essential part of the optometry course.In the optometry course, optometrists use the following customer service techniques:

  • Offers comprehensive eye care, including emergency care, with superior customer service.
  • Ensure that customers are provided with excellent customer service while receiving proper vision care.
  • Served as a customer service representative and provided general office support.
  • Provided exceptional customer service by handling front desk phone calls, answering phones, scheduling eye exams, and scheduling appointments for patients.
  • In addition to providing telephone and in-person customer service,


PrecautionsHere's how precautions taken by optometrists are learnt in the optometry course: During the optometry course, patients will be educated and counselled regarding contact lens care, visual hygiene, lighting arrangements, and safety concerns. A student who enrols in an optometry course is taught ocular hygiene, lighting arrangements and safety measures.

Solution-finding:The candidate must be able to identify problems they faced as part of the internship of the optometry course and then use their critical thinking skills to solve them.

These are some of the essential skills that an optometrist must have. It can be developed by pursuing the optometry course. The optometry course is for 3year, but the ITM Vocational University of Vadodara offers the optometry course with one year of clinical experience/internship. Hence at the end of the optometry course, the student will have working experience with them. So, joining ITM Vocational University, Vadodara is a suitable choice for an established career. Know more by visiting the institute's website: https://www.itm.ac.in/undergraduate-boptometry.html