Optometry

The Optometry (Greek optike " doctrine of the visible", optiko " belonging to the vision" to opsis " seeing " and ' metron ' Greek μετρική " count ", " measurement" ) is the science of measurement and evaluation of visual functions and generally describes an activity, which deals with the correction of refractive errors. It includes the biological and physical optics and is a supplement to the " monocular " eye optics, since it deals with " binocular " disorders. The foundations for the technical and university education in the field of optometry were largely developed in Germany by Hermann Pistor.

Areas of Practice

In contrast to eye care, which deals with the single eye as an optical instrument and is primarily a craft activity for the identification, adaptation and production of optical aids and fixes ( such as glasses or contact lenses ) is that optometry has its emphasis on binocular vision set ( binocular vision ) and claimed the measurement and assessment of the following visual functions:

  • Adaptation
  • Accommodation (inner eye - motor skills )
  • Resolution assets ( spatial)
  • Resolution capacity, time ( flicker sensitivity )
  • Eye -hand coordination
  • Look - motor skills (outer eye - motor skills )
  • Binocular vision
  • Movement See
  • Glare sensitivity
  • Twilight vision
  • Color vision
  • Fixation using the convergence
  • Fixation by means of accommodation
  • Fixation by means of eye - tracking movements
  • Fixation by means of look - jumps ( saccades )
  • Fusion
  • Iris motor (inner eye - motor skills )
  • Contrast perception (contrast sensitivity)
  • Night Watch
  • Visual acuity
  • Spectral sensitivity
  • Day View
  • Depth discrimination ( spatial vision, stereopsis )
  • Involuntary eye movements ( nystagmus)
  • Visual perceptual constancy

Criticism

The Optometry deals with subjects that are attributed to ophthalmology in general and Strabismus in particular. It is therefore controversial among ophthalmologists, optometrists, orthoptists and optometrists about the extent to which optometry, at least in Germany, the limits to diagnostic and medical- therapeutic action already exceeds in parts and thus exposed to the risk according to the requiring a permit practice of medicine the Heilpraktikergesetz to offend.

Training

The training for optometrists happens academically in general. In Anglo-Saxon countries and Switzerland, the financial statements, for example, Bachelor of Science ( UK) or Doctor of Optometry (USA) is. In Germany Ophthalmic Optics / Optometry can be studied at six colleges. As a consequence of the so-called Bologna Declaration provide the German technical colleges since the winter semester of 2005, only Bachelor of Science degree programs as a first professional degree in the optical / optometry. Building on this, there are various master's degree programs, such as the ' Master of Science in Clinical Optometry '. A PhD Doctor of Philosophy is hereafter also possible. In Austria, the study is offered for Master of Science in Clinical Optometry at the Danube University Krems. In Switzerland, a course of study Optometry (BSc Optometry ) is offered at the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland in Olten since 2007.

The following German Fachhochschulen have a Department of Ophthalmic Optics / Optometry:

  • Aalen University
  • Beuth University of Applied Sciences Berlin
  • University of Applied Sciences Braunschweig / Wolfenbüttel Brunswick
  • Ernst -Abbe- Fachhochschule Jena
  • Fachhochschule Lübeck
  • University of Applied Sciences Munich

Austrian university optometry studies:

  • Danube University Krems ( Master's degree )

Swiss university degree with optometry:

  • University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, Institute of Optometry in Olten

Higher Vocational Schools optometry training programs:

  • ZVA Education Center - Academy of Ophthalmic Optics
  • Higher College of optometry ( HFA) in Cologne
  • Technical School of optometry ( FFA) in Munich
  • Technical school for optometry " Hermann Pistor " Jena
  • Fielmann Academy; nonprofit educational institution of Eye Optics GmbH
  • Academy for eye care in Hankensbuettel

Optometrist

Persons performing optometric activities, optometrists are called. This also includes Optometrists fall without any special education or training in optometry, but with master craftsman. Between countries of Anglo-Saxon speaking countries, particularly the USA, and Germany, there are significant education -related, professional, and political and legal differences in the exercise of Optometry, which is why the foundations on which these activities are based, can not be compared with each other and the basic conditions are not freely transferable. The term optometrist is in Germany, strictly speaking, only a synonym for opticians dar. medium to long term, however, a reorientation of the profession Optician / Optometrist by state and professional representatives sought nationally and internationally

Adaptation (eye) Eye–hand coordination Eye movement (sensory) Iris (anatomy) Behavioral optometry
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