By Jayantha de Silva
A national policy on optometrist and Optician trades had been submitted to Parliament for approval, Jagath Jayasinghe, Chairman, Eye Care and Optometrists Association (ECOA) said.
Speaking at a media briefing in connection with the Eye Care 2012 Programme under the theme, The Transformation Age of Optometry, he said: "There are about 5000 optical centres. The majority lacks the services of skilled personnel. As a result, those who patronize those centres are at risk."
"Most of them realize this after irreversible damage had already occurred to their sight," said Optometrist Naresh Pradhan, Chairman, Eye Care Optometric Association and visiting lecturer of the National Eye Hospital.
"Who is to assume responsibility for this parlous situation?" he asked before emphasizing the need for early detection for successful treatment.
With a view to counter the dearth of trained personnel and elevate the trade to that of a professional service training programmes are held with the Tertiary Education Commission.
Towards this end he envisaged conducting courses at the university level.
He demarcated that the opticians task was to assemble spectacles in comparison to optometrists task which involves amongst others diagnosis of such conditions as Cataract.
Speaking in retrospect, he said that ‘Diyatharippu lenses’ made out locally were used by kings.
Optometrist Upali Gamlath, Vice Chairman of the ECOA explained the host of benefits the members of the Eye Care Network stands to benefit viz. subsidized spectacles, free examinations etc.
He focused on the need for schoolchildren to be examined for eye ailments.
Ms. Prabamali Siriwardana Secretary ECOA also spoke.
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