Optometry is a science of visual system and visual health care. Optometrists are the primary healthcare practitioners of the eye and visual system who provide comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, detection/diagnosis and co-management of disease in the eye, and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system.
Occupational optometry is the branch of optometric practice that is concerned with the efficient and safe visual functioning of an individual at work.
It includes, visual task analysis, assessment of the vision of the person at work, the matching visual demand and the visual ability and prevention of ocular eye injuries.
According to American optometrist association (AOA), occupational optometrist
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As a vision consultant, he comments on the work environment, lighting, contrast enhancement, glare/shadow elimination, comfortable viewing, therefore improving the visibility of work area and in turn help in lesser errors by the employees.
According to Dr P P Santanam, the following are the role of the occupational optometrist: 1) Vision Screening for the employees 2) Diagnosis of visual deficiency and correct where necessary and possible 3) Identify occupational causes of vision and eye problems. In indicated cases referral to the eye hospital 4) To help establish the visual requirements or standards for jobs 5) Be able to advise on eye protection 6) Disability evaluation.
Occupational optometrist is primarily concerned with stimulating and coordinating the efforts of management to ensure the effective and productive utilization of vision of the employees and its conservation through the following:
1) Visual task Analysis of different jobs in work area: It aims at acquiring the information on visual demand each job creates on the individual and specific visual function requirement will be identified. This is achieved by primarily by visiting the work area and understanding the process
The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework defines an occupational profile as “the initial step in the evaluation process that provides an understanding of the client’s occupational history and experience, patterns of daily living, interests, values, and needs (2014).” During this process the client’s problems and concerns about daily occupations are identified then the client’s main concerns are determined (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2014). Occupational Therapists strive to be holistic and client-centered, and the occupational profile is one method to ensure treatment takes on these characteristics. During the occupational profile the clients share their priorities based on what is important to them, and the therapist
From 1917 to 2017 make 100 years of occupation treatment. The Centennial Vision of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) previously known as National Society for the Promotion of Occupational Therapy defined as followed "We envision that occupational therapy is a powerful, widely recognized, science-driven, and evidence-based profession with a globally connected and diverse workforce meeting society's occupational needs." (AOTA website, 2017). The Centennial Vision was created by taking feedback from both members and non-members of the association based on strategies that will continue to value the treatment of the occupational and promote better leader for the 21st century. The goal of the Centennial Vision is to promote the occupational therapy profession with better strategies.
This article discusses the basic understanding of what occupational therapy is and what it the Occupation is defined as “activites of everyday life, names, organized and given meaning by individuals and a culture” (Association, 2006). This article also discusses the historical aspects of occupational therapy. Occupational therapy was founded by many different professionals with different backgrounds, that came together to share the same idea about how occupational therapy should be and the importance of activites for a person. This article also talks about different types of services that occupational therapy offers. Occupational therapists and assistances can work in many different settings.
Occupational therapy strives to help individuals across the lifespan with and without disability live their life to the fullest by enabling them to do things they want or need to do. Occupational therapy is a holistic profession that aims to promote health and prevent, maintain, or improve live with a disability, illness or injury. Occupational therapy falls under public health because it looks at public health issues that impact patients and advocate for changes that can benefit copious individuals. The profession is also actively participating in health promotion by enabling people to increase control over their own health and work to improve health. Through engagement in occupations, everyday activities that are meaningful and purposeful
My interest into becoming an optometrist had begun when I was in high school; it happened in an unconventional way. It was not through watching videos, or someone explaining to me what optometry was, but rather, seeing the power of it firsthand. There was a point in my life where I felt emotions that I was unable to comprehend at the time. Seeing a family member on an operating table was the most petrifying moment that I have gone through, especially when the person on the table was my father. My father had to get a chalazion removed from his right eyelid. The doctor told my family that my father would be susceptible to certain health risks because of his diabetes and the severity of his cyst. This procedure was the hardest thing I have had to deal with in my life because it made me feel helpless. Usually, when my dad needs help he always asks me, but this time I could not do anything. It is interesting to think that something so small had such a big affect on my life.
Townsend & Polatajko (2007) state that “Occupational therapy is the art and science of enabling engagement in everyday living, through occupation; of enabling people to perform the occupations that foster health and well-being; and of enabling a just and inclusive society so that all people may participate to their potential in the daily occupations of life”.
Occupational science in practice enables therapists to understand the patient as an occupational being, thus enabling the therapist to implement assessments that are occupationally focused, especially during the early stages of the occupational therapy process.
This is designed as an evaluation of a client’s occupational adaption. It consists of a semi-structured interview, in contrast to the COPM which is quite unstructured, a rating scale and a summary form. Kielhofner, (2008) stated that the OCAIRS is conceptually based on the model of human occupation, and, accordingly, the areas it covers corresponds to concepts from the model. It provides a structure for gathering, analysing and reporting data on the extent and nature of a person’s occupational participation, as opposed to ‘occupational performance’ in the COPM. (Fox, J. 2014) According to Bryant, Fieldhouse and Bannigan (2014, p.431) this assessment provides insight into an individual’s level of motivation and how empowered they feel to be an active participant in their treatment pathways. From my experience of interviewing using this model, I realise that it concentrates mainly on the occupational participation of people in their roles, habits, personal causation, values and contexts, meaning that it elicits more personal information than the COPM. I was mindful of this before starting the
An occupational therapist becomes trained and licensed in the healthcare profession and obtains the credentials to make a complete assessment of the impact of an injury that is causing the activities of the patient at home and in work situations
As a student who is both fascinated with science and desires a career that is dedicated to improving people’s lives, the profession of optometry is a natural fit for me. Wanting to learn more about the profession, I began shadowing several optometrists throughout my time in high school and college. I shadowed in various settings, including two retail chain stores, an ophthalmology office, and a private practice. My goal was to soak up everything about the experience, learning as much as I could from the optometrists as they interacted with patients and assessed their ocular health. I was amazed at how much I was able to learn just from observing other optometrists! One of the most memorable experiences I had while shadowing was when a patient came in with shingles, which the optometrist, Dr. Chelsey Clemens, confirmed was spreading onto her cornea. Dr. Clemens promptly prescribed an antibiotic gel to the patient. It was exciting to observe this patient receive this much-needed care from her
Occupational therapy made its first appearance in a modern-day setting during the 18th century; however, occupational therapy dates back to 100 BC. The United States medical system adopted occupational therapy in the 19th century. In 1910, occupational therapy became a realized profession. Then, the main focus was working with individuals to get them to a fully functional state. Around 1930, standards of practice were developed for occupational therapists (OT’s). The career continues to evolve and change as new illnesses and disabilities arise. Even with all the changes, the main focus remains intact: helping people.
Occupational therapy is also known as the dynamic and developing healthcare profession that deals with people in ways of regaining their skills required for the every days of life. For a very long time I have always had the desire to achieve my dreams in becoming an occupational therapist. I am very well equipped with creativity, flexibility and the ability to aid people in solving their every day’s life challenges they get involved in. Occupational therapy is quite involving and needs good strategies and skills for one to be successful in the program.
When searching for a career, many people want a job that will be rewarding. One job that fulfills this need is an occupational therapy assistant. An occupational therapy assistant, also known as an “OTA,” is someone who makes it possible for people to achieve everyday tasks which they normally could not do. These tasks include eating, getting dressed, bathing, and many more “typical” tasks. It is not easy to become an OTA. There is a long process that needs to be completed. This includes, difficult college classes, applying to an OTA program, licensing, training, and certifications. Many other factors come into play when deciding if being an occupational therapy assistant is the right career such as, salary, job outlook, job opportunities,
I am aware of the challeneges and demands that the field of optometry holds, however, I am committed to becoming an optometrist. I am quite passionate about this field, and my desire in this field has only been strengthened through my experiences. It is for these reasons that I would like to pursure a D.O.
Occupational therapy is a form of therapy for those recuperating from physical or mental illness that encourages rehabilitation through the performance of activities required of daily life (O’Brien & Hussey, 2012; American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2014). The goal of OT intervention is to increase the ability of the client to engage in everyday activities, for example, feeding, dressing, bathing, leisure, work, education (O’Brien & Hussey, 2012; & AOTA, 2014).