The Indian Optometry Federation (IOF) has filed a petition to the Health Ministry appealing for institution of an independent council of optometry under it.
"WHO recognises optometry as an independent health care profession in most developed countries. But Health Ministry doesn't consider optometry as part of the health care delivery system and is ultimately denying providing professional treatment to people of India creating multi-faced impact across the society," President of IOF, Ajit Bhardwaj claimed.
He further said that visual impairment is affecting all classes and ages of society and in absence of regularised, professional and ethical practices.
"So it is very essential to form an independent council of optometry under the Ministry of Health and to restore original duties promised to Optometrist in 1976 by the Central Council of Health, so that citizens of our country can get affordable and comprehensive eye care delivery," he said.
The group members earlier in the last week of March had also held a hunger strike protesting against what they claimed to be "unlawful change of duties of optometrists by the Central Health Ministry".
The members had also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding their demands.
Optometrists are healthcare professionals who provide primary vision care ranging from sight testing and correction to diagnosis, treatment, and management of vision changes. An optometrist is not a medical doctor.
