• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.54 no.4
• /
• pp.285-292
• /
• 2022

The education and training system, the ISCO (International Standard Classification of Occupations), and the legal systems of Japan and the United States consider all ophthalmic optometry laboratory personnel as ophthalmologists. They encompass optometrists, orthoptists, optometric technicians, and ophthalmic medical technicians. Data retrieved from the KOSIS (Korean Statistical Information Service) revealed that the number of opticians associated with the department of ophthalmology in 2022 could be appraised by classifying their medical institutions; contrarily, the number of clinical laboratory technologists could not be assessed. However, the current research investigated a general tertiary hospital and determined that clinical laboratory technologists outnumber opticians. Classification in Korea is based on ophthalmic optometry laboratory personnel, ISCO, ISCED (International Standard Classification of Education), the medical service act, the act on medical service technologists, and the higher education act. These results cannot be compared to the optometrists evaluated in the United States. Ophthalmology is a suitable profession for optometric technologists and technicians who perform under the instructions of ophthalmologists and optometrists. The field of eye healthcare would be benefitted by assigning the management based on their qualification according to the requirement of the job title, such as 'Clinical Optometry Technologist' to be given to clinical laboratory technologists and opticians who work in the ophthalmic optometry laboratories after obtaining a private qualification endowed by the Korean Ophthalmological Society and the Korean Optometry Society.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.87-95
• /
• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study is to reveal necessity of orthoptist system in Korea, by comparative analysis between the orthoptist system of developed countries and the present condition in Korean ophthalmic clinics. Methods: Choosing 4 developed countries, we surveyed their education systems, license requirements and process, and service coverage. An inquiry into desirable Korean orthoptist system was added on the basis of the comparative survey. Results: The developed countries have systems in which professional orthoptists, who have got their licenses after official education, do the eye examination under the supervision of ophthalmologists. On the other hand in Korea, a problem is revealed that opticians play a role of eye-examiner in the ophthalmic clinics without any institutional support. Conclusions: The legalistic basis is quite needed in Korea that permit optometry graduates to be eye-examiners in the ophthalmic clinics, by introducing the orthoptist system.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.241-249
• /
• 2004

Since 1989 the number of nationally licensed ophthalmic and refracting opticians in Korea have increased. Currently, they are being educated in four universities, twenty six colleges and three graduate programs. It is innevitable that the growth of optometric education in Korea will be progressively influnced by worldwide influnces such as the World Council of Optometry(WCO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Trade Organization(WTO). However, currently no standards for optometric education exist in Korea. Thus, the Korean Professional Councils of Ophthalmic Optics(KPCOO) must develope and provide standards for optometric education programs.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.217-223
• /
• 2006

The purpose of this study is to provide improvements and standards of trial lens, in a situation that there is a lack of standards of trial lens set that have been used for self-conscious refraction test after helm refraction test at about 5,000 opticians, ophthalmologic clinics and hospitals, and contact-lens shops, that there is a lot of discrepancies between refraction specified and the actual power, and that there is no regulation of optical tolerance error. For the study, opticians who have used Trial lens set were asked to participate in a questionnaire survey through continuing education, and divided into those who have used domestic lens and those who have used imported lens, 5 opticians each for less than 5 years, 5 to 10 years, more than 10 years. The measurement of both refraction specified and the actual diopter was compared to Japan Industrial Standards(JIS T4402). As a result of comparative analysis, more than 80% of respondents have had reliability on the refraction of trial lens they had used, indicating that they have never measured the refraction specified and the actual diopter after buying them. Besides, Korean Industrial Standards(KS P4402) has been imperfect in diopter range since it was legislated in 1979. More than 95% of respondents have been unsatisfied with optometry. Also, it has indicated that refraction error is more frequent in long-term-used trial lens. The conclusion is that it is necessary to standardize trial lens set and that it is required to add lens to lens set provided under KS P4402. Moreover, it is necessary to have supervisory agency for a standardization of trial lens. I hope that both domestic lens and imported lens, as in German and Japan, will be tested to find whether they meet optical tolerance error and standard trial lens will be distributed. Good optic inspection is required for the improvement and management of eye health and optical function, and the same standard trial lens set should be used. whoever is tested. Also, I hope that trial lens set will be specified within standards and tolerance error.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.31-38
• /
• 2010

Purpose: In this paper, we have dealt with problems and the improvement proposals of FTC (FAIR TRADE COMMISSION) report which insist on relaxed entry regulation for an optical shop. Methods: We analyzed each content of the FTC (FAIR TRADE COMMISSION) report which argue relaxed entry regulation for an optical shop. Results: At present, the supply of optician and optical shop are already saturated, the overseas cases cited would not be in accord with our reality. The reform of policy must take precedence in order to carry out the policy. A delicate balancing act is needed in order to satisfy both the government's and optician's needs. Conclusions: At this point, it is premature to carry out the relaxed entry regulation, this policy should be looked from a long-term point of view.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.54 no.3
• /
• pp.224-238
• /
• 2022

The environment and scope of work of optometric personnel in ophthalmology are unknown. We aimed to investigate these topics using an online survey. Based on the results obtained, we also make policy proposals from the perspective of clinical laboratory technologists to the University-Association-Academy. The age distribution of the study subjects was as follows; 20s (40.7%), 30s (28.4%), 40s (23.5%), and 50s (7.4%). Women constituted 56.0% of the cohort, and careers were evenly distributed from <1 to ≥15 years. We found optometric personnel had high levels of work-related stress, frequent occupational diseases, and that their duties were wide in scope. More manpower is needed to reduce work stress and improve work satisfaction. Clinical laboratory technologists held more senior positions at 48% compared to others and the occupational distribution was closely related to the senior occupation (P<0.001). Clinical laboratory technologists were responsible for about 30 types of eye examinations, and the most frequently performed examination was the refraction test; anomaloscopic examinations took the most time (27 minutes). Taken together, clinical laboratory technologists perform various eye exams. Given the importance of clinical laboratory technologists in optometry, a multifaceted effort is required at the University-Association-Academy.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.527-536
• /
• 2015

Purpose: In this paper, we have dealt with problems and improvement of korean optician system. Methods: Using the relevant material of korean optician system and international optometrist system, provides the theoretical basis of the need for regulatory changes optician. Results: The people with refractive errors are increasing, 67% of refractive error test is made from optical shop and korean optician are sufficient trained, many opticians are in charge of the refractive error test at the ophthalmic hospital. We have confirmed that current law does not reflect adequately the nature of optician's work. Conclusions: Since current capacity of the Korean opticians and education system ready to provide health services for people, therefore an korean optician must redefine the law to fit the reality.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.11 no.9
• /
• pp.287-296
• /
• 2020

The purpose of this study is to analyze, medical institutions wanted to investigate what caused the shortage of opticians' manpower and suggest solutions. This study was conducted on 31 opticians (11 male and 20 female) working at medical institutions through a self-reporting method survey. Through the survey, basic information of the subjects and the information and satisfaction level of the medical institution on duty were investigated and analyzed. There were many people who had a license for optometrist but did not do optometrist work, and the married people were less satisfied with their work and the proportion of people who did not do optometrist work was higher. The cause of these problems was salary. Opticians who needed higher salaries for marriage and other reasons were able to increase their salaries by adding other tasks in their own areas. This unsatisfactory salary at medical institutions has led to a shortage of optometrists at ophthalmic clinics.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.89-93
• /
• 2002

The physiology and morphology of cornea has effected on the ocular refractive status. Therefore the measurement of the anterior corneal surface by keratometer is used the treatment of the spectacles and contact lens by optician, optometrist, and ophthalmologist. Furthermore, currently the most corneal topographic mapping system have used the clinical optical shop, eye research center, and eye hospital. Because this method have a very fine data comparative to the previous instrument. The authors have measurement the cornea of the man college students by the corneal topographic mapping method. Especially this data will applied the clinical practice for the contact lens fitting. Especially in Korea, many man college students use the contact lens for the visual acuity and a beauty. Therefore the contact lens wear have increase per every year.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.413-428
• /
• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate students and optometrist opinion of the usefulness of different subjects of optometry curriculum.This date will then be used as base-line data during a process of curriculum development Methods: 292 of ophthalmic optic's students and 123 of optometrists were surveyed in the usefulness of curriculum (five-point scale) followed by statistical analysis of the results. Results: Optometrists gave a higher average score for curriculum usefulness (3.89) than the students (3.71). The subject which showed the highest usefulness for the student was optometry (4.55) but clinical practice was the highest for the optometrist (4.48). There was significant differences (p<.05) on optics, ophthalmology, basic science, optometrist related subject and foreign language but optometry and contact lenses showed high usefulness in common without significant difference. The usefulness of subject for the student showed significant difference according to gender, grade, age, and desired working place and has demonstrated significant difference depend on gender, age, scholarship, total working experience as an optometrist, workplace, and position for optometrists as well. Conclusions: It is necessary to continue research for the development of standard and bench-marked curriculum for ophthalmic optics and also the curriculum, which reflecting the usefulness and needs obtained from ophthalmic optics' students and optometrists need to be developed.