Welcome to the world of optometry. The aim of this thread is to enlighten the public and of course aspirants about optometrists and their functions in the healthcare. A lot of persons do not know what optometry is all about. Feel free to ask any question(s).

I am DOMINION, an optometry student of UNIBEN.

What is optometry?

Optometry is a health care profession that involves examining the eyes and applicable visual systems for defects or abnormalities as well as the medical diagnosis and management of eye disease.
Traditionally, the field of optometry began with the primary focus of correcting refractive error through the use of spectacles. Modern day optometry, however, has evolved through time so that the educational curriculum additionally includes intensive medical training in the diagnosis and management of ocular disease, in most of the countries of the world, where the profession is established and regulated.

Duration of study
In Nigeria, optometry is a six-year program in the university that leads to the award of OD- Doctor of optometry.
The following institutions offer optometry in Nigeria;

Abia state university (ABSU)
Federal university of technology oweri (FUTO)
University of Benin (UNIBEN)
University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)
Madonna university
Bayero university Kano (BUK)
Imo state university (IMSU)

Who is an Optometrist?

Optometrists are health care professionals who provide primary eyecare through comprehensive eye examinations to detect and treat various visual abnormalities and eye diseases.
An optometrist's scope of practice may differ depending on the location. Thus, disorders or diseases detected outside the treatment scope of optometry (i.e those requiring certain surgical interventions) are referred out to relevant medical professionals for proper care, more commonly to ophthalmologists who are physicians that specialize in tertiary medical and surgical care of the eye. Optometrists typically work closely together with other eye care professionals such as ophthalmologists and opticians to deliver quality and efficient eyecare to the general public.

This will lead to the difference between optometrist, ophthalmologist and optician.

Ophthalmologists

They went to medical school. After that, they had a 1-year internship and a residency of 4 years or more. That's sometimes followed by a 1 to 2 years fellowship.

They offer complete eye care services: eye exams, Diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions related to other diseases, like diabetes or arthritis
Plastic surgery -- to raise droopy eyelids or smooth out wrinkles.

Optometrists

They went to university (not medical school) graduated, had their 1 yr internship and residency (for some). A fellowship of different bodies like NCO, FAAO is also available.
They offer eye care services like eye exams, diagnosis and treatment pathologies of the anterior segment in the case of Nigeria.
"Refractive errors "correction" with lenses. Vision therapy, low vision etc. Optometrists do not perform surgical procedures in Nigeria.

Opticians

Opticians are not eye doctors and can not give eye exams. They get a 1- or 2-year degree, certificate, or diploma. They fill the prescription your eye doctor gives you. They also:

Check lens prescriptions
Provide, adjust, and repair glasses, frames, and contact lenses
Take facial measurements
Help decide which type of lenses and frames will work best
Order and check products, including contacts and eyeglass lenses

Specialties in optometry

Orthoptics/Vision therapy
Ocular health
Primary Care Optometry
Public Health Optometry
Cornea and Contact Lens Practice
Rehabilitative Optometry and Low Vision Care
Paediatric Optometry
Environmental/occupational vision

There is a residency program for optometrists. Requirements is 3 yrs post NYSC then you write the college exam and choose any area of interest, but it is not government-sponsord, to the best of my knowledge.

Nice