Optometry

By Jackline Klutse

What is Optometry?

Optometrists play a crucial role in healthcare. They begin by diagnosing eye conditions. When a patient presents with an eye problem and describes their symptoms, it is the optometrist's responsibility to listen carefully and accurately identify the issue. Once the problem is diagnosed, they proceed to prescribe the appropriate medications or treatments. In essence, an optometrist's duties encompass both the diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions.

What's involved in the treatment of patients?

For treatment, we can prescribe both spectacles and contact lenses. Contact lenses are placed directly on the cornea, whereas spectacles are worn in front of the eyes. Additionally, when necessary, we may recommend medications to address specific eye conditions, all aimed at improving the patient's vision and overall eye health.

We also provide vision therapy. Sometimes, certain patients don't need drugs, glasses, or contact lenses—they require specific therapies to improve their eye condition. For example, consider a child with crossed eyes or the condition known as "strabismus," where one eye deviates from alignment. Glasses might help temporarily, but once removed, the problem returns. This is where vision therapy comes into play. It's an essential part of an optometrist's work.

What are the requirements for pursuing a career in optometry?

To pursue this field, you must have a strong foundation in science or a science-related background. Exceptional grades are essential, similar to the requirements for medicine, though optometry focuses exclusively on the eyes. Essentially, you need to be a highly proficient science student to succeed in this field.

What are the job opportunities in optometry?

After completing six years of study, from Level 100 to Level 600, you automatically become a doctor upon graduation. You can be assigned to work in any hospital as a fully qualified optometrist. However, the journey doesn’t have to stop there. Some individuals choose to specialize in various areas of optometry. For instance, some may focus solely on contact lenses or refraction. Others might specialize in pediatric optometry, which involves the care of children, or geriatric optometry, which focuses on elderly patients. There are numerous specialties to explore, including academia—some of our professors are lecturers themselves. Additionally, you can specialize in areas like corneal care or glaucoma, or pursue any other field that interests you. These are just a few examples of the specializations available in optometry.

Job opportunities in this field are quite plentiful. In Ghana, there is a shortage of qualified optometrists, and hospitals and departments are actively seeking well-trained professionals. Even before some students complete their education, hospitals express interest in hiring them upon graduation. It’s a profession in high demand.

Do optometry graduates face unemployment issues?

Why stay at home unless you either don’t want to start practicing immediately or are pursuing further education? I haven't encountered any optometry graduates who have completed their studies and remain unemployed. Before you even finish the program, people are already requesting your services. Some students don't even wait to graduate—they start practicing during their clinical years and are compensated for it. So, there’s no need to stay idle. Moreover, governments often assign graduates to positions soon after they finish school. However, not everyone is interested in these government postings. Some prefer to establish their private practices, which is perfectly fine. So, unless you intentionally choose to stay home, unemployment isn’t an issue in optometry.

Do universities like the University of Cape Coast (UCC) offer fee-pay options for optometry students?

Initially, the program did not charge any fees, but now they accept both regular and fee-paying students. This change was introduced because some students were taking advantage of the no-fee policy to enroll in the program quickly.

Why do some universities make optometry fee-paying?

At my institution, UCC, the goal is not just to produce optometrists with theoretical knowledge but to ensure they have practical experience as well. They aim to maintain smaller class sizes so lecturers can dedicate ample time to hands-on learning, ensuring students are fully prepared. When there are too many students, it becomes difficult to allocate sufficient time for the practical aspects of the program.

One way they discourage people from rushing into the program is by introducing a fee-paying system. Truth be told, the fees are relatively high, though I don’t know the exact amount; I’d need to ask the current Level 100 fee-paying students for more information. However, while there are some fee-paying students, there are also regular students in the program.

The best way to gain admission into the program is by achieving excellent grades, particularly in science. When you enroll, your knowledge will be tested. Additionally, it’s important to note that all Level 100 students are initially placed on probation. The university evaluates your academic performance to ensure it aligns with the grades you obtained. If you meet their standards, you are allowed to continue.

Some students may have obtained their results through dishonest means, but they may struggle to keep up after the first year. In such cases, they might be encouraged to change their course or reapply. Therefore, the best approach is to study diligently and honestly.

Don’t be fearful or intimidated—now is the time and opportunity. If you aspire to study optometry or any other health-related course, this is the best time to work hard and prove yourself worthy of these programs.

Regarding the fees, it varies. Regular students are those who performed exceptionally well, while fee-paying students, though some may have done well, generally cannot be compared to regular students in terms of academic performance. The university may inquire whether you’re willing to pay if they offer you a spot. Additionally, the selection process includes an interview. Shortlisted applicants are interviewed by lecturers and professors, and if you pass the interview, you officially become an optometry student. That’s essentially how it works.

A personal message

Optometry is a rewarding program, but it requires dedication. I encourage anyone interested to study diligently, excel academically, and cultivate a genuine passion for the field. Don't let financial incentives be your sole motivation, as optometry demands sincere interest and commitment. Handling someone’s eyes is a serious responsibility, and negligence can have severe consequences. Therefore, let your primary motivations be passion and dedication. Thank you for considering this path.