06 COVER STORY
The Healthplus | NOVEMBER , 2022
A key platform for Asian optometry
AMO committed to supporting AOC in promoting optometry and eyecare knowledge and skill development programmes in Asia
THE ASSOCIATION of Malaysian Optometrists ( AMO ) is a professional optometrist organisation under the aegis of the World Council of Optometry ( WCO ) and Asia Optometry Congress ( AOC ).
AMO President Ahmad Fadhullah Fuzai said : “ AOC is a platform for the Asian optometry profession and service and consists of several Asian optometry organisations under its umbrella .
“ AMO represents Malaysia under AOC , and we actively collaborate with AOC to support and implement ment optometry and eyecare activities and programmes organised in the Asian region .”
AMO , formed in 1984 , functions as a platform to connect optom-ometrists throughout Malaysia and to promote and encourage the advancement of the science of optics in its application to the preservation of sight . It also advocates and protects the optometrist profession ’ s rights and the public ’ s best interest for eyecare in Malaysia .
“ Our role under AOC includes facilitating the organisation n of events and disseminating information and knowledge to AMO members . AMO is therefore honoured to co-organise the 3rd AOC conference on Nov 15-16 , 2022 .
“ It aligns with AMO ’ s commitment ment to providing continuous professional education to its members to advance the Malaysian optometry profession and services .
“ We are very excited about this year ’ s conference as it is back to a physical format , which was initially postponed for the AOC conference in 2020 due to the pandemic ,” said Ahmad .
“ This will be the biggest AOC ference since the pandemic , and it has con-
been well received by members and participants . Early registration for the conference was full within three weeks of its launch .”
We need a way for the public to clearly identify primary eye care centres to get comprehensive visioncare services ."
– Ahmad Fadhullah Fuzai
PRIVATE AND PUBLIC COLLABORATION IS KEY
According to Ahmad , the private optometry practice and public health sector complement each other to improve general eyecare .
“ We need a way for the public to clearly identify primary eye care centres to get comprehensive visioncare services .”
“ It is in the public ’ s best interest to streamline the primary , secondary and tertiary eye care services between the private and public sectors .”
He said the level of integration is non-existent as the public eye care sector handles all levels of eye care services , from primary to tertiary care . He believes this is ineffective and defeats the purpose of primary eye care .
“ Primary care is for early detection and intervention . However , people visit hospitals when they are already experiencing severe eye or vision problems .
“ For example in the private sector , community optometry practices can provide effective primary care services to the public .
“ We are the
first meeting point for those who want to get their corrective lenses . Hence , we can create eye health awareness and provide comprehensive eye examinations , effectively detecting early symptoms of eye diseases or vision impairments .
“ At the primary care level , optometrists can also make early interventions for other health problems such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma .
“ And for issues that require secondary or tertiary examination and treatment , we will provide an accurate and direct referral to the optometrist and ophthalmologist at the hospital .”
PUSHING FOR EQUAL RECOGNITION
There is a shortage of optometrists in the country despite having six higher education institutions that produce optometry graduates .
“ We have three public and three private higher education institutions . These graduates expect to obtain a placement in the public eyecare sector and work in hospitals . However , there are limited vacancies in the public sector .”
The next option for the graduates , he said , would be to work in or open a private community optometry practice , which is currently registered and categorised as a spectacle shop under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government .
Hence , optometrists in the private sector are not recognised as certified health professionals , unlike those in the public sector . And this hinders community optometrists from providing effective eye care services to the public .
“ When optometrists in the private sector are only considered shop- keepers , they find their expertise undervalued . And therefore , we see less intake for optometry in higher education institutions , especially in private education institutions .
“ We need to address the inequality in recognition of optometrists between the private and public sectors . As President of AMO , I ’ m actively pushing for equal recognition , and I hope my efforts will be successful .” – AOC