Appendix 3: Eye Health Professions: Summary Profession Definition Key functions Qualifications/training Ophthalmologist Is concerned with the Explain diagnostic and 6 years medical anatomy, physiology treatment procedures to undergraduate and diseases of the patients education eye. Obtain medical histories from patients 2 + years postgraduate Administer diagnostic tests prevocational training Diagnose eye conditions Provide surgical treatment 5 years vocational Provide medical treatment (RANZCO) Prescribe/administer medication, including drops and injections Provide post-surgery follow up Provide routine check ups once condition stabilised Ophthalmic Helps ophthalmologist Perform simple eye exams No formal NZ technician collect data and Assist with eye surgery qualification measurements to allow Explain diagnostic and the correct diagnosis treatment procedures to Internationally, 1 year and treatment of eye patients certificate or diploma diseases and problems Obtain medical histories from patients In NZ, ophthalmic Administer diagnostic tests technicians typically Measure and recording vision have an orthoptists, Test eye muscle function optometry or nursing Provide contact lens education degree as well as Administer eye medication ongoing clinical training Maintain optical and surgical in developing technology and visual instruments disorders. Ophthalmic Same as ophthalmic As above, plus No formal NZ technologist technician but has more Perform ophthalmic clinical qualification training and expanded photography and fluorescence responsibilities angiography Internationally, 2 year Perform electrophysiological associate degree and microbiological procedures Supervise other ophthalmic staff Ophthalmic Works with Conduct eye tests No formal NZ assistant ophthalmologists to Measure vision and test eye qualification provide eye care to muscular function patients. Apply eye dressings Internationally, 1 year Show patients how to properly certificate or diploma use contact lenses On-the-job
Appendix 3: Eye Health Professions: Summary Profession Definition Key functions Qualifications/training Ophthalmologist Is concerned with the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the eye. Explain diagnostic and treatment procedures to patients Obtain medical histories from patients Administer diagnostic tests Diagnose eye conditions Provide surgical treatment Provide medical treatment Prescribe/administer medication, including drops and injections Provide post-surgery follow up Provide routine check ups once condition stabilised 6 years medical undergraduate education 2 + years postgraduate prevocational training 5 years vocational (RANZCO) Ophthalmic technician Helps ophthalmologist collect data and measurements to allow the correct diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and problems Perform simple eye exams Assist with eye surgery Explain diagnostic and treatment procedures to patients Obtain medical histories from patients Administer diagnostic tests Measure and recording vision Test eye muscle function Provide contact lens education Administer eye medication Maintain optical and surgical instruments No formal NZ qualification Internationally, 1 year certificate or diploma In NZ, ophthalmic technicians typically have an orthoptists, optometry or nursing degree as well as ongoing clinical training in developing technology and visual disorders. Ophthalmic technologist Same as ophthalmic technician but has more training and expanded responsibilities As above, plus Perform ophthalmic clinical photography and fluorescence angiography Perform electrophysiological and microbiological procedures Supervise other ophthalmic staff No formal NZ qualification Internationally, 2 year associate degree Ophthalmic assistant Works with ophthalmologists to provide eye care to patients. Conduct eye tests Measure vision and test eye muscular function Apply eye dressings Show patients how to properly use contact lenses No formal NZ qualification Internationally, 1 year certificate or diploma On-the-job
eyehealth-workforce-service-forecast.docx