Indian
Optometry at the Threshold of a New Century: Education, Regulation, and the
Road Ahead
Abstract
Optometry
in India has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past century,
evolving from short-term vocational training into a regulated, competency-based
healthcare profession with expanding clinical and academic scope. This article
traces the historical development of optometric education in India, highlights
key milestones in professional standardisation and regulation, and examines the
emerging opportunities and responsibilities facing the next generation of
optometrists. As the profession approaches its centenary, the article reflects
on the legacy inherited by new graduates and outlines the skills, ethics, and
adaptability required to meet India’s growing eye-care needs in a rapidly
changing healthcare ecosystem.
Keywords:
Optometry education, Indian optometry, competency-based curriculum, NCAHP Act,
eye-care workforce, professional regulation
Introduction
Vision
plays a central role in learning, productivity, mobility, and quality of life.
As India continues to address the dual challenges of avoidable visual
impairment and increasing demand for specialised eye-care services,
optometrists have emerged as primary eye-care providers and essential
contributors to the national health system. The profession today stands at a
pivotal juncture—strengthened by regulatory recognition, expanding educational
infrastructure, and rapid technological advancement.
With
Indian optometry nearing 100 years of organised development, it is timely to
reflect on its evolution, assess its present status, and consider the
responsibilities entrusted to future practitioners.
Early
Foundations of Optometric Education in India
The
origins of optometric training in India can be traced back to 1927, when A. K.
Dutta initiated early educational efforts in Kolkata, followed by A. K.
Banerjee in 1932. Although limited in duration and scope, these initiatives
marked the formal beginning of optometry as a distinct eye-care discipline in
the country.
In
the 1950s, recognising the increasing burden of refractive errors and the need
for community-based eye-care services, the Government of India introduced
structured two-year diploma programs. The first such program was established at
Aligarh and was subsequently replicated in Delhi, Hyderabad, Sitapur, and
Chennai. These programs primarily aimed to strengthen refraction services and
screening activities at the community level.
Transition
to Modern Degree Programs
A
significant transformation occurred in 1985 with the establishment of India’s
first modern four-year Bachelor of Optometry program at the Elite School of
Optometry, an initiative of Sankara Nethralaya. This program introduced
comprehensive academic and clinical training aligned with international
standards, marking a shift from technician-oriented education to professional
healthcare training. The vision for this landmark national initiative was
shaped by three distinguished stalwarts—the late Dr. S. S. Badrinath, doyen of
Indian ophthalmology and Founder of Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai; the late Prof.
Jay M. Enoch, then Dean of the University of California, Berkeley; and the late
Prof. S. R. Govindarajan, a renowned educationist and physicist.
The
institution further advanced postgraduate education in 1996 through a
collaborative MPhil program with BITS Pilani and later established India’s
first doctoral program in optometry in 2002. These developments laid the
foundation for research-oriented optometric education in the country.
Another
milestone was achieved in 1998 when Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed University),
Pune, became the first university in India to offer an optometry degree
program, signalled the integration of optometry into mainstream higher
education.
From
2004 onwards, optometric education expanded rapidly. As of today, nearly 384
institutions across India offer optometry programs, reflecting the growing
demand for trained eye-care professionals.
Professional
Standardisation and Curriculum Reform
Parallel
to educational expansion, efforts toward professional standardisation gained
momentum. The Indian Association of Optometrists, in collaboration with the
World Council of Optometry, worked to define a structured developmental pathway
for the profession. This collaboration led to the formation of the Association
of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), which played a pivotal role in
curricular reform.
In
2008, senior academicians and clinicians-initiated discussions on a Common
Minimum Optometry Curriculum at the Elite School of Optometry, in the presence
of Professor Jay M. Enoch of the University of California, Berkeley. These
efforts culminated in the release of the Common Minimum Optometry Curriculum
and the Indian Entry-Level Competency Matrix in 2010 and 2012. These documents
established uniform educational benchmarks and competency expectations across
institutions.
The
curriculum framework was later endorsed by the Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare and updated versions were reaffirmed in 2025, reinforcing the
importance of competency-based education in optometry.
Regulatory
Recognition and Professional Accountability
The
enactment of the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions
(NCAHP) Act, 2021, marked a defining moment for optometry in India. The Act
formally recognised optometrists as allied healthcare professionals and
established a regulatory framework emphasising professional accountability,
ethical practice, and quality assurance.
Further
recognition under the International Standard Classification of Occupations
(Code 2267) affirmed optometrists as professional healthcare providers and
integral contributors to India’s eye-health ecosystem. Together, these
developments have strengthened professional identity and public trust.
Expanding
Scope of Practice
Contemporary
optometry in India extends far beyond refractive services. The profession now
encompasses diverse specialised domains, including community eye care, contact
lens practice, binocular vision, paediatric and geriatric optometry, low vision
rehabilitation, occupational and sports vision, special people eye care, myopia
management, neuro-optometry, ocular prosthetics, and advanced ophthalmic
diagnostics.
This
expansion reflects both scientific advancement and the increasing complexity of
eye-care needs across the lifespan.
Technology,
Innovation, and the Future Workforce
Rapid
advances in digital health, artificial intelligence, and remote monitoring are
reshaping eye-care delivery. AI-assisted screening tools, tele-optometry platforms,
and home-based monitoring devices are enhancing early detection and continuity
of care, particularly for chronic conditions such as glaucoma and age-related
macular degeneration.
While
technology will continue to augment clinical decision-making, the role of the
optometrist remains central. Human judgment, ethical reasoning, and
compassionate patient engagement cannot be replaced by automated systems. The
future workforce must therefore combine technological proficiency with strong
clinical reasoning and interpersonal skills.
Responsibilities
of the Next Generation
As
Indian optometry approaches its centenary, newly qualified optometrists inherit
a profession built through decades of academic leadership, clinical service,
research, and advocacy. Their responsibilities extend beyond individual
practice to include lifelong learning, inter-professional collaboration, and
commitment to equitable eye care.
Professional
success will increasingly depend not only on qualifications, but also on
ethical conduct, adaptability, humility, and a sustained commitment to service.
Conclusion
Indian
optometry stands at a historic threshold—strengthened by regulation, enriched
by educational reform, and empowered by technological innovation. The coming
decades will demand optometrists who can lead with knowledge, adapt to evolving
healthcare models, and serve with integrity and compassion.
As
the profession enters its second century, its future will be shaped by how
effectively these values are upheld. By honouring its legacy and embracing
innovation responsibly, Indian optometry is well positioned to make a lasting
contribution to national and global eye health.
Author’s
Note
This
article is based on reflections delivered during a graduation address to
optometry graduates at Sankara College of Optometry, Bangalore on 12th
December 2025 and is intended to document the historical evolution, current
status, and future direction of the profession in India.
----------------
Author :
Dr R Krishna Kumar
President - Professional
Council of Ophthalmic Sciences
National Commission for Allied
and Healthcare Professionals (NCAHP)
Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare,Government of India
Visiting Faculty, Elite School
of Optometry & SJSIO, Chennai
Freelance Optometrist, Doorstep
FREE Geriatric Eyecare Services, Chennai
Former Head of the department ,
Optometry, Sankara Nethralaya, Chennai
Former the Principal, Elite
School of Optometry, Chennai
Advisor, Optometry Services,
Sankara Nethralaya(Medical Research Foundation), Chennai
E - Mail : kkramani93@gmail.com
Mobile / WahtsApp : 98403 12791
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