Sankara College of Optometry partners Association of the Schools and Colleges of Optometry to highli...

1. Sankara College Of Optometry Partners Association Of The
Schools And Colleges Of Optometry To Highli
Sankara College of Optometry partners Association of the Schools and Colleges of Optometry to
highlight career opportunities in optometry
Bangalore, April 18, 2011: An estimated 35% of Indias population i.e. approximately 456 million
people are in need of vision correction. Unfortunately, less than one fourth currently have had their
vision corrected because against the need of at least 1, 15,000 optometrists only 2000 graduate
optometrists are available in the country.
Optometry is a healthcare profession that is autonomous and regulated (licensed/registered).
Optometrists are the primary healthcare practitioners of the eye and visual system. They provide
comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, detection/diagnosis
and management of disease in the eye.
To create awareness about Optometrist as emerging career option in India, Sankara College of
Optometry in
http://www.arizonawildcats.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30700&ATCLID=207991289
association with Association of School College of Optometry conducted a day long CME (Continuing
Medical Education) programme on April 17th at Sankara Eye Hospital Bangalore. This programme
witnessed participation of eye care specialist from the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka,
brainstorming varied subjects with regard to building successful career in optometry and
importance of having specialized training center for optometry.
On this occasion Mr. Vivek Mendonsa, President, Association of Schools Colleges of Optometry said
We are proud to share that the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences was extremely responsive
in ensuring that the curriculum adopted for colleges in the state of Karnataka conformed to
international norms. We look forward to more eye care institutes to come forward to have
specialized courses in Optometry as well.
Mr. Aditya Goyal, Principal of the Sankara College of Optometry and Secretary of ASCO said that
Students would have a wide range of career options eye hospitals, retail optical chains, perform
clinical research, and pursue academics. He further added that the Sankara College of Optometry,
the first college in the region to be affiliated to the Association of Schools and colleges of Optometry
and the World Council of Optometry, carries forward the traditional heritage of the parent
organization.
The Association of the Schools and Colleges of Optometry is an autonomous body working towards

2. standardization of the curriculum for various colleges in the country and to ensure that international
standards in optometric education are met.
Sankara College of Optometry is affiliated to the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences,
Karnataka and admits 20 undergraduates every year. The 4 year bachelors course has adopted an
internationally accredited curriculum. The college is located at http://www.onlinecollege.org/ the
Sankara Eye Hospital campus. The 225 bedded specialty eye hospitals serve as its clinical partner.
Prof Jeffery Cooper- Professor Clinical Optometry, State University of New York, Prof James Sheedy-
Professor, Director of Optometry Research, Pacific University and Prof Abraham Gonen Director
International Education, Salus University serve on the advisory board of the college.
For editorial queries only, contact Santosh of PRHUB @ 22998141, 22483008