History of optometry lecture 2

1. History of optometrylecture 2 Liana Al-Labadi, O.D.

2. What Is Optometry • Optometry is defined by the World Council of Optometry (WCO) as follows: • “Optometry is a healthcare profession that is autonomous, educated, and regulated (licensed/registered), and optometrists are the primary healthcare practitioners of the eye and visual system who provide comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, detection/diagnosis and management of disease in the eye, and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system.”

3. World Council of Optometry (WCO) • Unifying voice & catalyst for international projects & services that meet the needs of the optometric profession & public • 1st & only optometric organization in official relations with the World Health Organization • Maintains the highest level of membership in the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness

4. World Council of Optometry (WCO) • Worldwide organization for the professionals working in the field of Optometry, their associations & institutions • Mission Statement: • “Facilitate the enhancement and development of eye and vision care worldwide via education, humanitarian outreach and policy development”

5. World Council of Optometry (WCO) • Based at the college of Optometrists in London • Has over 85 member associations from 48 countries across 6 world regions • Middle-East region members include: • An-Najah National University • Iranian Optometric Association (IOA) • Israel Council of Optometrists • Syndicat des Opticiens du Liban

6. Origin Of Optometric Science • Optics:

7. Origin Of Optometric Science • Image formation by the eye

8. Origin Of Optometric Science • Sensory Physiology

9. Ibn Al-Haytham • Ali Al-Hasan Ibn Al-Hasan Ibn Al-Haytham • AKA Alhazen • An arab scientist • Made significant contributions to the principles of: • Optics & Physics • Anatomy • Astronomy • Engineerring & Mathematics • Medicine & Ophthalmology • Philosophy & psychology • Visual perception

10. Ibn Al-Haytham • Born in the city of Basra, Iraq • He is sometimes called Al-Basri • He lived mainly in Cairo • Proposed the regulation of the flooding of the Nile • He was ordered to carry out this operation by the sixth ruler of Egypt • After quickly perceiving the impossibility of the project, he retired from engineering • Fearing for his life he feigned madness and was later placed under house arrest • It was during this time that he wrote the influential Book of Optics

11. Ibn Al-Haytham • Made significant improvements in optics, physical science, and the scientific method which influenced the development of science for over five hundred years after his death • Proved that rays of light travel in straight lines • The first to reduce reflected & refracted light rays into vertical & horizontal components • The first to give a clear description & correct analysis of the pinhole camera

12. Origin Of Optometric Science • For centuries optometry has: • Developed its own literature and research projects in clinical practice and vision science • Been the leader in investigations on clinical lens applications, binocular vision problems, contact lenses, low vision, and visual processing

13. The Invention Of Spectacles • Origin & inventor: unknown • The English claim the honor for philosopher Roger Becon • Though he only discussed the idea of placing a lens on text for magnification • Marco Polo introduced spectacles to Europe • He reported seeing spectacles in common use in China • Inventor was an unknown artist

14. First Spectacles • By 1300 AD, spectacle manufacturing business in Italy, Germany, & the Netherlands • Some of the 1st spectacle frames were made from leather & wood • Existence was very carefully hidden from all in authority • Personal psychological connotation • Religious reasons • Interference by man with a condition created by god was considered to be a crime too horrible to contemplate

15. First Lenses • Discovered in Iraq in 600 BC • Rock crystals polished into convex lenses used to: • Magnify the sun’s ray to burn wax tablets & cauterize wounds • Assumed to be optical lenses • In 300 BC Euclid was the 1st to understand the concept of magnification

16. Optometry…The Beginning • Myth: • Optometry began about 100 years ago • When the 1st optometry licensure laws were passed in the U.S. • A reasonable time of origin: • Around the time of spectacle appearance

17. Optometry vs. Medicine • Differ in three ways: • Scientifically: • Optometry is based on optical sciences • Medicine is based on biological sciences • Shift of tradesman into professions: • Optometry began in Jewelers shops- they had the tools to work on spectacles • Medicine began in Barbers shops- they had the equipment with which early surgeries could be done • Areas of Expertise: • Optometry: optics, refraction, vision science, binocular vision • Medicine: Surgery, anatomy & physiology, pharmacology & disease

18. Definition- Opthalmologists • A doctor of medicine (M.D.) or a doctor of osteopathy (D.O.) • A physician who specializes in medical & surgical care of eyes & visual system & in the prevention of eye disease & injury • Licensed to practice medicine & surgery • Medically trained specialist who can deliver total eye care (primary, secondary & tertiary) • Vison services, contact lenses, eye examinations, medical & surgical eye care • In the US an ophthalmologist requires: • 4 years pre-medical school + 4 years medical school + 3 or more years of residency

19. Definition- Opticians • Adjust & fit optical products such as glasses • Formal opticianry training is offered in community colleges as well as few colleges and universities around the world • Usually these are 2 years programs • Opticians require a license to practice • Some employers hire individuals with no background in opticianry • Training may be informal, on-the-job or formal apprenticeship