Preservation and Restoration of Vision:

Vision for the Future, Part 2: Ophthalmic Education and Training: Task Force on Allied Ophthalmic Personnel Training

Rubens Belfort, Jr., MD, Ph.D.
Koji Konyama, MD

The Task Force on Allied Ophthalmic Personnel Training realizes the great need for and service of allied ophthalmic personnel to increase the productivity of the ophthalmic specialists.

Since the training of ophthalmic specialists requires many years, allied ophthalmic personnel may be trained more expeditiously in order to meet the eye care needs of the 45 million blind people and 135 million visually handicapped in the world.

The task force proposes that all allied ophthalmic personnel - including optometrists, ophthalmic technologists, orthoptists, ophthalmic assistants - and ophthalmologists be organized and trained under one system so that there may be a unified effort for delivery of improved eye care service.

By a unified training system, the provision of different levels of eye care service, the number of service personnel and the quality of service may be achieved effectively and efficiently.

The task force urges that all ophthalmic communities consider a unified educational system for eye care personnel.

Next: Allied Ophthalmic Personnel Training

Also see:

• Ophthalmology Continuing Education
  
  
• Table of Contents for Vision for the Future