Anyone can write

Although there are around 100 optometric institutions across the country offering courses ranging in duration from 2 to 4 years leading to diploma and degree qualifications respectively, there’s hardly any institute to impart accredited training in opticianry.

And “the introduction of Government legislation to regulate the practice of optometry” not in immediate sight, it’s imperative that there be a text on basics of ophthalmic dispensing optics for the benefit of the bulk of unqualified opticians…with the ultimate aim of our people to receive better eyewear dispensing services from anywhere within the country.

It’s, therefore, proposed to bring out an ophthalmic dispensing book covering basic information on all aspects of ophthalmic dispensing along with relevant information in brief on related topics of anatomy and physiology of the eye, refractive errors and common eye diseases, and low vision aids and contact lenses etc.

To start with, this is an open invitation for anyone to contribute on the topic of “Frame materials”.

A write-up of 500 to 1,000 words, along with figures/illustrations, may be forwarded to OptometryToday@gmail.com by the deadline of 31st January 2009. The selected write-up will be included in the book along with the name of the contributing author, thus giving him/her the opportunity of being a part of this exciting educational project.

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Happy 2009

The "50th Anniversary of Indian Optometry Year 2008", December 2008 issue of Optometry Today carries the following interesting material:

- Dr. Hari Om Rastogi's narration of the optometric history
- Articles on
Enhancing optometry through internet,
Nutrition and vision,
Institution profile,
Sub-conjunctival hemorrhage,
Perfect fit of glasses,
Silicone hydrogel contact lenses,
Photochromic lenses,
Top 10 most beautiful eyes,
Normal age related vision changes,
A primer on vitamins,
Communicating with hard-of-hearing patients
- Book reviews
- Newsline
- Placement Guide
- Letters

The Year 2008 also saw the publication of my "Babloo goes for an eye test" book for children, parents and teachers.

Wishing you a very happy and prosperous 2009 full of peace and professional satisfaction,

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Recumbent Spectacles

Optometry Today (C4F/216 Janakpuri, New Delhi 110058, Phone +91-11-25599839 <OptometryToday@gmail.com>), maker of Ptosis Spectacle (to lift drooping upper lid), Hearing Aid Cords, and Ear Plugs (to muffle sound), announces the launch of Recumbent Spectacles (the device, consisting of optical prisms [that do not magnify], that allows bed-ridden patients to read, write notes and watch TV while lying down).

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Well done Professor Dipti Gogate

It's indeed good to know that Optom. Dipti Gogate is now a "Professor in Optometry" at Bharati Vidyapeeth University, Pune. To keep the records straight, however, I must say that Optom. N. Sukumaran is supposed to be the first person to have enjoyed the status of a "Professor" at Aravind Eye Hospitals, Madurai. Nevertheless, Dipti is surely the "First Woman Professor", and my heartiest congratulations to her for bringing laurels to optometry in India. Dipti seems to be having a natural urge to keep herself informed. Long long ago, when she was a BSc (Hons) Ophthalmic Techniques student at Dr. R. P. Centre of Ophthalmic Sciences in New Delhi, she came to me for becoming a life-subscriber to Optometry Today (the September 2008 issue of which carries names of 50 optometrists who kept optometry in India invigorating - notably among these being Amod Gogate, N Sukumaran and Rajesh Wadhwa).

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Teleophthalmology at Sankara Nethralaya

The mobile teleophthalmology works by way of a mobile unit with essential equipment for comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist coupled with the facility of interacting with ophthalmologists at Sankara Nethralaya for the diagnosis and management of eye problems.

There is the requirement of optometrists for Chennai and Kolkata units. To apply, contact Mohan Sundaram at mohan@snmail.org

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Oculo-plastic surgeon in Delhi

There may not be very many cases of "drooping upper lid". But as the maker of "Ptosis Spectacle", I get referrals from far and wide places. And although the Ptosis spectacle, with so-to-say non-conspicuous sturdy nylon thread, is an effective mechanical aid, it's my advice to go in for this modality of correction only when the oculo-plastc surgeon decides against correcting the defect by way of surgical intervention.

And Dr. Maneesh Kumar, MS (Ophtho), Fellow-Oculoplasty (kumars@vsnl.com) is one surgeon who has operated upon patients suffering from Ptosis (who were referred for Ptosis spectacle) with beautiful results.

Surprisingly, many eye care professionals, including some general ophthalmic surgeons, do not seem to be aware of the ophthalmic super specialty of oculoplasty!

Dr. Narendra Kumar

The Spectacle Frame

Spectacle frame - the essential component of corrective glasses - now comes in bewitching designs in varied materials and colours to serve as an accessory to see through comfortably as also to be looked at admiringly.

Whether it be for myopia or hyperopia, glasses are usually meant for constant use by youngsters. In presbyopia, one needs to wear glasses either for near work, as a bifocal, or in the form of a no-line progressive power lens.

Contact lenses of course are an invisible correction for all types of refractive errors.

Coming back to the spectacles, the "Sania Mirza" rectangular, thick, black frame is still in demand by youngsters in India. And in the US, people are going crazy in their demand for "Sarah Palin" rectangular, rimless, titanium frame - from the Japanese designer Kazuo Kawasaki - the former beauty queen and the Republican nominee for vice-presidentship of USA wears.

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Children's eye care booklet

"Babloo goes for an eye test" written by Dr. Narendra Kumar has been been published by Optometry Today for the charitable trust Eye Care India to promote the concept of basic eye care. The illustrated booklet is intended to be subscribed by nursery and primary school libraries as also by eye care professionals for their reception areas. Priced at Indian Rupees 200 (or at US $ 50 by air-mail to overseas countries), the booklet is available from Optometry Today OptometryToday@gmail.com

Dr. Narendra Kumar

Need of providing comprehensive eye care to the poor at discounted rate

Having done vision screenings of thousands of school children, I can say that nearly 40% of students suffer from some form of departure from the normal. The next logical step should be for the parents to take their children to an eye care practitioner as per advice for refraction, and eyewear/eye exercises or ophthalmic medical treatment if needed. However, there's hardly any follow-up!

The solution lies in not just doing vision screenings but also provide comprehensive eye care to these poor students at discounted rates.

And should there be someone who cares for eye care of the poor, then please contact the charitable trust Eye Care India at kumars@vsnl.com

Dr. Narendra Kumar