The 4th National Update for Optometrists and Opticians

24 Oct 2005

By Professor K Satku, Director of Medical Services

Venue: Singapore Polytechnic

Mr Low Wong Fook

Principal, Singapore Polytechnic

Dr Lim Tock Han,

Director, The Eye Institute

Dr Wilfred Tang

Chairman, 4th NUOO Organizing Committee

Delegates

Ladies and Gentlemen

Introduction

It gives me great pleasure to join you all at the opening ceremony of the 4th National Update for Optometrists and Opticians. This is jointly organized by the Singapore Polytechnic, The Eye Institute and co-organized by the Singapore Optometric Association.

I would like to begin by extending a warm welcome to both our key note speakers Professor Nathan Efron from the UK and Professor Norhani Mohidin from Malaysia. I would also like to welcome all our other overseas delegates and hope that you have a very pleasant stay in Singapore.

Public Consultation

2005 is a significant year for Optometry and Opticianry in Singapore. It marks the 15th year of optometry education in Singapore. I'm sure you are all aware that 6 weeks ago, MOH presented a public consultation paper to solicit views on the proposed regulatory framework for optometrists and opticians in Singapore.

I am pleased to announce that the vast majority of the feedback received - both from the public and the profession - has been very positive indeed. I am also pleasantly surprised that our efforts have also elicited attention from others overseas.

As expected, there was a range of comments and concerns expressed. Some examples:

a. Some opticians were concerned about the registration criteria and whether they will qualify for registration. I want to reassure the opticianry community that the final registration standards will be reasonable and above all as inclusive as possible.

b. On the other end of the spectrum, some members of the optometry community were concerned that our regulatory efforts were not rigorous enough. I want to encourage you to look at this as an initial first step which we will build upon as we work together to upgrade the optometry and opticianry professions. 

c. In addition, some members of the public expressed concern over the possible increase in the price of spectacles. We will work closely with the stakeholders to moderate this.

Today is the last day of the public consultation process. I want to thank everyone who had submitted their feedback. There have been useful comments and suggestions which we are in the process of evaluating. We will announce the details of the public consultation process and the finalized framework soon.

Developing the Professions

However exciting a regulatory framework is for the optometry and opticianry community, it can only do so much in developing the professions. The more important role will fall on practitioners like yourselves. As you continue to develop your profession, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you my 3 "hopes" for the optometry and opticianry community in Singapore.

Healthcare Professionals

Firstly, I hope to see more optometrists and opticians viewing themselves as healthcare professionals. Traditionally, the practice of optometry and opticianry in Singapore has developed more as a trade than a profession. I do not deny that trade and business considerations will continue to play an important role in your practice. Don't get me wrong; this is not a bad thing. In the process of pursuing higher clinical standards, business considerations will ensure that service standards are also maintained at a high level.

However, I hope to see a fundamental change in mindset - that in the pursuit of viable business options, the health of the patient will always be the paramount consideration.

With our high prevalence of myopia and the aging of our population, optometrists and opticians will play an ever-increasing role in the provision of eye care services. The patient comes to see you because he or she trusts that you are competent and able to manage his or her condition well. This trust should never be taken advantage of.

Mutual Respect

Secondly, I hope to see a healthy respect among all professions involved in the provision of eye care. Each profession - opticians, optometrists, ophthalmologists - has its own role and part to play. They are all complementary to one another and as the optometry and opticianry profession develops, I'm sure the roles will become more defined.

Opticians should view themselves as an integral part of the eye-care professionals. Many opticians have been doing a good job of managing myopia and other eye conditions in Singapore and you have reason to be proud. Singapore needs opticians; certainly, not all opticians need to aspire to be optometrists.

As the opticianry profession develops, you will develop your own core competencies and expertise which may be different from the optometrists and other eye care providers. However, for the small number of opticians who feel that they want to convert to become optometrists, we will work with the stakeholders to define a viable pathway for you.

Pursuit of Excellence

Thirdly, I hope that all optometrists and opticians will pursue excellence in the practice of their profession. One way to do this is through continuing education, which I cannot overemphasize the importance of. I'm sure that for the profession there are many benefits of regulation. However, if only one good thing comes out of this regulatory framework, let it be the development of a culture of learning in all optometrists and opticians.

Another area which should be developed in the pursuit of excellence is research. With the high prevalence of eye conditions in Singapore, there is tremendous opportunity for research in the diagnosis and management of these conditions. I encourage you to participate in research projects, perhaps in collaboration with other eye care professionals.

With this mindset, you?ll be able to take your professions to the next level. You?ll earn the respect of the public, your peers in other countries and your fellow healthcare professionals.

Singapore Polytechnic

I am pleased to know that Singapore Polytechnic shares my views and is fully behind MOH in its efforts to develop the opticianry and optometry professions. I understand that Singapore Polytechnic currently takes in 70 students for its full-time and part-time Diploma in Optometry course, and another 20 for the Advanced Diploma in Optometry course. I am told that they will be increasing the intake for the Diploma course from 70 to 140. This increased number will take into consideration opticians in private practice who are otherwise unable to enter the course through the usual admission route.

I have also been told that the Singapore Polytechnic Optometry Centre will build a dedicated 'Children Myopia Centre' by 2006 to enhance the training of young optometrists in refracting and managing children with myopia.

Four out of five Singaporeans are myopic by the age of 21. The occurrence of juvenile-onset myopia is also increasing. This is a major concern, as high myopia is associated with more incidences of eye diseases in adulthood. The establishment of this new Centre will help in our fight against myopia among our children.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I believe that we are headed the right direction. This is due in no small way to the efforts of the opticianry and optometry communities. I want to commend and thank Dr Wilfred Tang and his colleagues for their continued efforts to upgrade the skills of the optometry and opticianary professions and for taking the initiative to organize this updates.

I wish you all - participants and organizers alike - a fruitful and enjoyable two days of learning.

Thank you.