refraction of the eye
The way to perform clinical tests by using a phoropter to identify the eye's refractive error.
Optometrists examine and test eyes to identify abnormalities, visual problems, or disease. They prescribe and fit lenses such as spectacles and contacts, and offer advice on visual problems. They may also refer patients to a medical practitioner. Their scope of practice and title varies according to national regulations.
Competences and skills
60 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 5 competences
Occupation specific
1 competenceSector-specific
1 competencequality standards of ophthalmic equipment
The various national or international quality standards for ophthalmic equipment (glasses, lenses, etc) such as ISO 10685-1:2011.
Cross-sector
3 competenceseye protection regulations
Eye protection regulations and relevant standards in relation to occupational visual requirements.
optical glass characteristics
The characteristics of optical glass such as refractive index, dispersion, and chemical properties.
optical instruments
The characteristics and usage of optical instruments such as lens-meter, to determine refractive power of lenses such as glasses.
Essential skills and competences 41 competences
Occupation specific
3 competencesperform comprehensive eye examinations
Undertake comprehensive eye examinations to determine prescription needs or diagnose disease or abnormalities. Some of the methods for this are cover tests, color blindness tests, and pupil dilation.
perform ocular tonometry
Perform ocular tonometry as a test to determine the intraocular pressure inside the eye of patients at risk from glaucoma.
use ophthalmic instruments
Use specialised instruments in ophthalmology such as phoropter, tonometers, wire speculum, iris forceps, lid plate or Beer`s knife.
Sector-specific
17 competencesaccept own accountability
Accept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.
advise customers on optical instruments maintenance
Provide customers with advice on the correct use and maintenance of other optical instruments such as binoculars, sextants, night vision, etc.
advise on contact lense maintenance
Advise patients on how to clean and wear contact lenses to maximise lifespan and minimise risk of complications.
advise on healthcare users' informed consent
Ensure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.
advise patients on vision improvement conditions
Advise patients with low vision on strategies to enhance their sight, such as use of magnification and lighting equipment.
apply context specific clinical competences
Apply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within one`s own scope of practice.
comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice
Apply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associations and authorities.
determine eye disease progression
Determine the effects and progression of eye disease by applying specialised diagnostic and imaging techniques, such as ultrasonography and topography.
diagnose problems of the visual system
Identify and diagnose problems of the visual system, such as those related to binocular vision, ocular motility, amblyopia or lazy eye, strabismus or squint, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, assessing the sensory state of the eye.
ensure safety of healthcare users
Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.
fit contact lenses
Measure the curvature of the cornea or front surface of the eye to assure that the fitting curve of the lens properly fits the curvature of the anterior surface of the eye.
prescribe corrective lenses
Prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses, according to measurements and tests conducted.
promote ocular health
Participate in activities that contribute to promoting ocular health and preventing ocular problems.
provide therapy of the visual system
Apply suitable orthoptic, pleoptic and optic treatment methods, using equipment such as lenses (`training glasses`), prisms, filters, patches, electronic targets, or balance boards, and suggest and implement adaptation options or possibilities for coping with everyday life, supervising in-office reinforcement exercises and instructing the patient to execute at-home exercises.
refer healthcare users
Make referrals to other professionals, based on the healthcare user's requirements and needs, especially when recognising that additional healthcare diagnostics or interventions are required.
test visual acuity
Test patients` visual acuity, perception of depth colour, and ability to focus and coordinate the eyes.
work in multidisciplinary health teams
Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.
Cross-sector
21 competencesadhere to organisational guidelines
Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.
apply numeracy skills
Practise reasoning and apply simple or complex numerical concepts and calculations.
apply organisational techniques
Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.
communicate in healthcare
Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.
comply with legislation related to health care
Comply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.
deal with emergency care situations
Assess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.
educate on the prevention of illness
Offer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and health conditions. Provide advice on the identification of risks leading to ill health and help to increase the patients' resilience by targeting prevention and early intervention strategies.
empathise with the healthcare user
Understand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence. Demonstrate a concern for their welfare and handle according to the personal boundaries, sensitivities, cultural differences and preferences of the client and patient in mind.
follow clinical guidelines
Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.
have computer literacy
Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.
digital
implement marketing strategies
Implement strategies which aim to promote a specific product or service, using the developed marketing strategies.
inform policy makers on health-related challenges
Provide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.
interact with healthcare users
Communicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.
listen actively
Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.
manage healthcare users' data
Keep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, written and electronic) are treated confidentially.
manage staff
Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
process payments
Accept payments such as cash, credit cards and debit cards. Handle reimbursement in case of returns or administer vouchers and marketing instruments such as bonus cards or membership cards. Pay attention to safety and the protection of personal data.
promote inclusion
Promote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive environment.
record healthcare users' billing information
Record the healthcare user`s information for the billing of provided medical services.
respond to changing situations in health care
Cope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.
work in a multicultural environment in health care
Interact, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.
Optional knowledge 1 competence
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Cross-sector
1 competencepreventive medicine
The measures taken for disease prevention in a specific area or a group of people.
Optional skills and competences 13 competences
Occupation specific
2 competencesadminister medication for vision problems
Administer medication to patients to aid in the diagnosis of vision problems and prescribe drugs to treat some eye diseases.
provide domiciliary eyecare
Provide in-home eyecare for patients.
Sector-specific
6 competencescontribute to continuity of health care
Contribute to the delivery of coordinated and continuous healthcare.
implement sales strategies
Carry out the plan to gain competitive advantage on the market by positioning the company's brand or product and by targeting the right audience to sell this brand or product to.
perform vision rehabilitation
Maximise the remaining sight in people with low vision using rehabilitation strategies and magnification aids.
provide treatment strategies for challenges to human health
Identify possible treatment protocols for the challenges to human health within a given community in cases such as infectious diseases of high consequences at the global level.
record healthcare users' progress related to treatment
Record the healthcare user's progress in response to treatment by observing, listening and measuring outcomes.
use e-health and mobile health technologies
Use mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.
digital
Cross-sector
5 competencesdevelop a collaborative therapeutic relationship
Develop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.
participate in medical inventory control
Monitor the condition of a medical inventory. Ensure the materials are stored safely. Re-order supplies when needed.
provide health education
Provide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.
use foreign languages for health-related research
Use foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.
use foreign languages in patient care
Communicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.