OPTOMETRISTS will soon be better qualified to check the eyes of Singaporeans, with the launch of a new degree programme.
Singapore Polytechnic signed an agreement with The University of Manchester and NHG Eye Institute@TTSH on Thursday to offer the Bachelor of Science (with Honours) in Optometry.
Targetted at practising optometrists or fresh graduates who have a diploma in optometry, the course will be conducted full time at the institution. Students will be attached to a hospital setting as interns for part of the programme.
Training courses for such practitioners have been rolling out after the Optometrists and Opticians Act came into force in January to ensure that those who provide eye-care services are properly trained and qualified.
There are 505 registered optometrists here and about 800 optical shops. Beyond testing for a person's eye power, optometrists can diagnose basic eye diseases and refer patients to eye doctors.
