Page 58 - The Indian Optician Digital Edition September-October 2022
P. 58
The hospital has a team of more than 20 well-
qualified, senior experienced ophthalmologists THE PG DIPLOMA IN
to deliver quality eye care in nine subspecialties. OPTOMETRY OFFERED BY
The comprehensive eye care institute provides
tertiary eye care at the base hospital with THE NCVRT IS OPEN TO
super-speciality services in cornea, vitreo- GRADUATES OF THE
retina, medical-retina, glaucoma, oculoplasty, BACHELOR IN OPTOMETRY
paediatric ophthalmology, tele-health, low
vision, and contact lenses, and is equipped with B.OPTOM COURSE OR
an optical store and lens workshop. Its strong EQUIVALENT FROM ANY
community outreach programmes benefit 25 RECOGNISED INDIAN
vision centres in and around Pune.
UNIVERSITY
Its postgraduate training courses include
DNB and Diploma in Ophthalmology, long-
term and short-term fellowships in various To this end, it decided to start two new
specialities including paediatric ophthalmology, courses: a two-year full-time diploma for
glaucoma, retina, cornea and oculoplasty. ophthalmic assistants and a post-graduate
The hospital is recognised as a ‘Skill Transfer diploma in optometry course designed and
Centre’ for ophthalmologists, with more approved by the National Council of Vocational
than 600 ophthalmologists nominated by and Research Training (NCVRT).
the Government of India, as well as private
ophthalmologists from India and abroad. In June 2022, the institute was approved
as a vocational training Centre by the NCVRT,
Over the years the hospital has received a Central Board established under Article
support from various NGOs, including the 29 & 30(1) of the Constitution of India and
international NGOs ORBIS International for incorporated under the ministry of corporate
paediatric eye care and Sight Savers, UK for affairs, Government of India.
retinopathy of prematurity programme. It also
receives support from the Aravind Eye Hospital, The PG Diploma in Optometry offered by the
Madurai and Sankara Netralaya, Chennai NCVRT is open to graduates of the Bachelor in
for strategic development and technical Optometry B.Optom course or equivalent from
advancement. any recognised Indian university. The institute
offers 15 seats per year with the session starting
The hospital’s College of Optometry opened in October.
in 2005 with courses of Diploma Ophthalmic
Assistant and Degree in Optometry, accredited Its fellowship in Comprehensive Optometry
by the University. Since 2018, the institute has is a full time clinical posting in rotation Eye
been conducting a full-time 4-year B.Optom OPD, specialty clinics, optical stores and
course accredited by the Maharashtra University community outreach programmes. Regular
of Health Sciences (MUHS). It admits 20 students assessments and a final annual examination are
every year through the admission process required to qualify for the fellowship certificate.
defined by the MUHS.
HV Desai College of Optometry now offers
Many diplomates and graduates are keen certified skill programmes under an Additional
to upgrade their educational qualifications Skill Qualification Training Programme
through higher studies. At the same time, (ASQTP) in the form of value-added courses/
many eye hospitals don’t get enough skilled self-employment courses for people living in
manpower for community outreach projects. both rural and urban areas. The courses are
The Desai institute’s management has examined designed and accredited by the International
the way to get skilled man-power to support Quality Standards for Vocational Education
their Vision Centre expansion plans. Council (IQSVEC).
54 | THE INDIAN OPTICIAN | SEPT-OCT 2022 REPORT
