Vision 2020 and the role of Optometry Practise in Nigeria- episode 6

Optom
 Continuing in our bid to throw light on how far, in terms of professionalization of Optometry practise world over; I will like to explore on the narrative from the academic demands as required by the constitution and regulated by the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board of Nigeria, a body with 2130 registered members as @ date!
There are three universities that educate Optometrists in Nigeria. University of Benin (UNIBEN), Abia state University Uturu (ABSU) and Imo state University Owerri (IMSU).
Historically, University of Benin was the first school that started training Optometrists B.Sc. It is a four year course equivalent to an Optician in the U.S.A. This form of Optometry is more of a dispensing Opticianry and is not trained to identify and manage ocular infections. It is a UK practise system. Optometry started there in January 1974 (Prof Ogbuehi, 1988) or earlier in 1972 (Dr Enechi Gilbert, 2010). It was nurtured under the tutelage of Professor Robert J. Fletcher of the City University, London; and Professor R.W.H. Wright, the then Dean of the faculty of Science University of Benin. In 1993, University of Benin adopted OD program. Prior to the adoption of OD title, the B.Sc Optometry dont go for internship and they were required to bridge to OD, but not many succeeded. In January 2009 it commenced its post graduate program in Optometry, M.Sc in Vision Science and M. Sc in Ocular Health Optometry. They also do PhD in the two areas.
Abia State University Uturu commenced Optometry in 1981 and were the first Nigerian University to produce OD optometrists in 1987.Professor Ogbuehi, Professor Ikonne etc were said to have contributed immensely here.
When Abia State was carved out from the then Imo State, the University known as Imo state University Okigwe became Abia state University Uturu. It was in 1991. It commenced Optometric education in 1993, and like its counterpart in Abia state University it issues OD certificate. Today, the Optometric regulatory body in Nigeria requires and OD which is a six-year program instead of the four-year B.Sc Optometry. The former also involves internship, while the later does not. To remain relevant to the modern trend of Optometric practise, the adoption of the OD can be said to be a welcoming issue and it portrays the evolutionary and revolutionary posturing of this noble profession in Nigeria.
The good news is that plans are on the way to further entrench this profession in the health community of the Nigerian state. Very soon residency in Optometry would soon be adopted, its on the planning stages. But in our watch, continuous education programs have become an entrenched policy in clinical Optometry while colleagues go abroad to acquire fellowship in a sub specialty. In the field of visual science and eye health, Optometry in Nigeria can be said to have bridged the gap despite the gaping challenges occasioned by this great profession. Lets have it in mind that we have a strong role in the area of instituting  'Primary eye Health care' in our health care and this is the secret of our relevance in the prevention of blindness and developing of our 'Vision 2020 : Right to Sight' strategy...
We shall discuss the journey so far tomorrow...
Dr Victor Ezebuiroh Okwudiri.