The state of optometric education in India,1958-2022

Abstract

Optometrists with varying levels of optometric education provide eyecare services to the public in India. This study aimed to review and compare the curricula in diploma (2-year program) and degree (4-year program) colleges in India with the curricular support elements developed by the World Council of Optometry (WCO). Optometry curricula from 32 colleges were reviewed. Of the 20 degree colleges included in the study, 83% (n = 17) included all the enabling science subjects listed by the WCO while 34% (n = 4) of the diploma colleges included these subjects. The majority (n = 19, 93%) of the degree colleges included all the core optometry subjects in their curricula compared with 57% (n = 7) of the diploma colleges in the study. This study highlighted the need for harmonization of optometric education for a uniform national competency-based curriculum as well as the establishment of an accreditation body to ensure consistency in optometric education in India.