Preservation and Restoration of Vision:

Vision for the Future, Part 1: Ophthalmic Education and Training: Allied Ophthalmic Personnel Training

On this page:

• Objectives
  
  
• Results
  
  
• Task Force Action Plan

Objectives

Training programs for allied ophthalmic personnel are designed to provide professional personnel with various qualifications and skills to form a competent and efficient system for eye care delivery.

This system for eye care delivery will differ substantially in the various regions and countries of the world.

Results

Results to be obtained in the area of allied ophthalmic personnel training include:

1. Preparation of a statement that identifies principles inherent in the education of allied ophthalmic personnel.
   
   
2. Development and dissemination of model curricula for ophthalmic allied professional personnel.
   
   

   This recognizes the need for a series of specific curriculum programs that relate to the various levels of allied ophthalmic personnel education and training. At the optometric level, this warrants coordination with optometric training specialists.

   In similar manner, educators with knowledge and experience related to training and assessment of ophthalmic technologists, orthoptists, ophthalmic assistants and other allied ophthalmic personnel should be consulted.

3. The education and training of allied ophthalmic personnel vary substantially in different geographic regions and countries.
   
   

   Training programs and utilization of allied ophthalmic personnel worldwide must recognize these differences in education, training, professional experience, and licensure.

4. For various categories of allied ophthalmic personnel, curricula should be coordinated with objective knowledge evaluations and skill assessment procedures to promote high-quality allied ophthalmic personnel throughout the eye care delivery system.

Task Force Action Plan

The Allied Ophthalmic Personnel Training Task Force realizes the great need for and service provided by allied ophthalmic personnel in the delivery of quality eye care services worldwide.

Since the training of ophthalmology physician specialists requires many years, allied ophthalmic personnel, trained in the performance of specialized tasks, are needed to meet the urgent requirements of eye care services to the millions of blind and visually handicapped people worldwide.

The Task Force recommends that all allied ophthalmic personnel, including optometrists, ophthalmic technologists, orthoptists, ophthalmic assistants and other ophthalmic allied professional specialists, participate at an optimal level of skill to provide a unified and coordinated program for delivery of eye care services.

By a unified and coordinated training system, eye care that requires various levels of knowledge and skill can be provided.

The Task Force on Allied Ophthalmic Personnel Training appreciates the need for allied ophthalmic personnel and the diversity of allied ophthalmic personnel programs and utilization patterns.

Accordingly, the Task Force plans to:

1. Prepare a policy statement that reflects the principles of an educational system for allied ophthalmic personnel.
   
   
2. Assemble and develop model allied ophthalmic personnel curricula for various categories of allied ophthalmic personnel. These curricula are expected to incorporate a spectrum of training, in terms of duration and content, to reflect the needs and practices of diverse regions and countries worldwide.
   
   
3. Utilize the World Wide Web to distribute information regarding allied ophthalmic personnel training.

Next: Ophthalmology Continuing Education

Also see: Table of Contents for the Vision for the Future