OPTOMETRY AS A VOCATION

Evening Star, Issue 19893, 15 June 1928, Page 11

OPTOMETRY AS A VOCATION

At the monthly meeting of the Otago and Southland branch of New Zealand Optometrists, a very interesting address was delivered by Mr Peter Dick on ‘ Optometry as a Vocation ’ The lecturer, in explaining the origin of tho profession, pointed out how difficult it was years ago for tho older members of the profession to obtain their knowledge, in that very often they had to seek their studies outside New Zealand. Now, students were able to qualify as optometrists without leaving their own town, as tuition is being given at our Technical College. Ho could remember when glasses were worn only when advancing age compelled one to wear them. Nowadays optometry, covering such a wide scope, enabled- students to ■ increase their knowledge of the refracting medici of the eyes and the laws of refraction. The optomlcrist did not-attempt to prescribe for sick eyes. Ho made no attempt to treat diseases of the eyes, nor to render assistance in the case of eye injury. Those he passed on to the eye physician (the oculist). The only province of the optometrist was to correct by physical means a physical defective vision. If he found in his diagnosis (hat the defective vision was due to a diseased condition, or through some .foreign agency, then the case must be referred to the oculist. If tho error of refraction was due to either over or under development of tho dioptic apparatus of the eye, or if eye strain was produced by the inharmonious action of the muscles of the eye, then the optometrist proceeded to correct the defect by the applicatiou of suitable lenses, which had the power to neutralise tho error. In conclusion, Mr Dick emphasised to the students that optometrists' work had in ; t the elements of mercy and philantrophy, for they dealt exclusively with people’s misfortune who eutrusotd to the optometrist for weal or woe one of tho most precious gifts of the Creator. In moving a vote of thanks to Mr Dick for his address, the president (Mr W. V Stunner) said he felt sure that tho students present would realise the high ideals entwined in the profession of optometry.