Optometry courses are popular programs for people interested in eye care. Optometry is a professional field that deals with eye care. It is now positioned as a primary healthcare profession involved in the critical, preventive, and rehabilitative aspects of eye care. Optometrists, therefore, form an integral part of the primary healthcare team. In this article, we discuss optometry as an academic program.

Optometry courses in Kenya

Optometry training started not so long ago; for instance, the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) started a diploma course in optometry in 2006. In 2009, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). Since then, other training providers have been offering the program to meet the growing demand for optometrists and technicians. However, proper legislation is needed to guide the optometry profession in the country.

Eye Sight is one of our most precious gifts, and Optometrists are dedicated to preserving and enhancing this gift. Through academic and clinical training, optometrists can provide comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, detection/diagnosis and management of disease in the eye, and rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system.

The following are examples of optometry courses in Kenya.

1. Diploma in optometry
2. Diploma in ophthalmic technology
3. Diploma in optical technology.
4. Higher diploma in optometry
5.   Bachelor of Science in optometry and vision Sciences

Is there a certificate in optometry? As of the date of publishing this article, there is no information on a certificate in optometry. We have conducted deep research but have not been able to find any. The duration of study in Kenya depends on the course you are studying. For instance, it takes three years to study for a diploma in optometry, one year to study for a higher diploma in optometry, and four years to study for a degree.

Colleges offering optometry in Kenya.

The number of colleges offering optometry courses is increasing as the demand for optometrists rises. The course is offered in private and public or government colleges. The following schools offer optometry in Kenya.

1.   KMTC
2.   Mombasa Technical Training Institute (Mombasa TTI)
3.   Kaimosi Friends University (KAFU)
4.   Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology

Is optometry marketable in Kenya?

Optometry, a new profession in Kenya, is doing relatively well. There are opportunities for optometrists and technicians. All we need is proper legislation and recognition from the government to create professional guidelines and ensure that only trained optometrists are licensed to practice. With that development, optometry would be positioned as a primary healthcare profession involved in the critical, preventive, and rehabilitative aspects of eye care. Optometrists, therefore, form an integral part of the primary healthcare team.

Optometry courses requirements

The following are the entry requirements for optometry programs in Kenya.

1. Diploma in optometry: KCSE Mean Grade C, with C in English or Kiswahili and C- in Mathematics, D+ in Biology/ Biological Sciences, and C- in Physics/Physical Sciences.
2. Diploma in optical technology: KCSE C, Eng/ Kis C, Mat C, two sciences C-
3. Higher diploma in optometry: Diploma in Optometry
4. Degree in optometry: KCSE C+ (plus) Bio C+, CHEC+, MAT/PHY C+, ENG/KIS C+

Conclusion

Optometry courses are popular programs for people interested in eye care. Optometry is a professional field that deals with eye care. It is now positioned as a primary healthcare profession involved in the critical, preventive, and rehabilitative aspects of eye care. Optometrists, therefore, form an integral part of the primary healthcare team. Two public universities, KAFU and MMUST, offer optometry courses. Besides, KMTC and Mombasa TTI offer optometry.