Dhaka: Stakeholders in eye health on Tuesday reached a consensus on the need for an optometry council to expand eye care across the country and bring the service of ophthalmic personnel under regulation. The consensus was reached at a national dialogue on eye health held at the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital in the capital.
According to United News of Bangladesh, participants at the dialogue suggested mainstreaming optometrists and other ophthalmic personnel while emphasizing the need to set boundaries for their work scope, particularly regarding the prescription of medicines. Prof Dr ASMM Quadir, Director (In charge) of the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIO and H), emphasized the necessity of a governing body to establish prerequisites for entry into optometry education and to determine whether optometrists can prescribe medicines or practice independently.
Ophthalmological Society of Bangladesh (OSB) Secretary General Prof Md Zinnu Rain echoed this sentiment, stressing limitations on optometrists concerning their ability to prescribe medication. OSB President Dr Md Tauhidur Rahman called for uniformity in courses for ophthalmic personnel and the setting of boundaries for their practice, highlighting the government's critical role in this initiative.
OSB Treasurer Dr Syeed Mehbub Ul Kadir pointed out the absence of optometrists in government health facilities despite their significant role in India's eye care services. He suggested developing a mechanism to ensure optometrists work within their defined scope. The event, organized by Orbis International and titled 'National Policy Dialogue in Eye Health: Consultative Meeting on Establishing a Council for Optometrists and Allied Ophthalmic Personnel in Bangladesh,' was conducted by Dr Munir Ahmed, Country Director of Orbis Bangladesh.
Dr Munir highlighted the manpower shortage as a significant obstacle to delivering eye care services in Bangladesh, which could impede the country's achievement of the World Health Organization's SPECS 2030 targets. This initiative aims to increase effective refractive error coverage by 40 percentage points by 2030.
Dr K Zaman BNSB Eye Hospital Executive Director Sharifuzzman Parag noted that around 20 percent of Bangladesh's population seeks eye care services, but the available facilities and manpower are inadequate. CSF Global Senior Program Manager Johurul Islam Jewel emphasized the importance of recognizing optometrists to expand eye care services and proposed forming an optometry council under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Several other experts, including OSB Vice-President Prof Md Sayedul Hoque, Rajshahi Medical University Registrar Prof Dr Md Shah Alam, and Bangladesh Optometric Society President Md Didarul Islam, contributed to the dialogue, underscoring the urgent need for a coordinated approach to bolster eye care services nationwide.