Optometry 360 - edition 3

Issue No. o3  •   September , 2021    

OPTOMETRY

ALO's Official Magazine

OPTOMETRY & TECHNOLOGY 360

Clinical data science

OPTOMETRY Coverpage Credit:
OUTSIDE INDIA


Prospects of O.D., DEEPIKA.ART.CRAFT.PHOTOGRAPHY


Optometry Practice and
Ph.D. in Australia Deepika Kommanapalli
Mixed Media Artist
HOW TO REDUCE CONTACT LENS DROPOUTS?
WHO WILL RUB THE MAGIC LAMP TO LET THE CONTACT LENS GENIE OUT?
THE INVESTMENT, THAT IS YOU.

WWW.ALOPTOM.COM/OPTOMETRY360

ALUMNI OF LVPEI OPTOMETRISTS

OPTOMETRY 360

ALO'S OFFICIAL MAGAZINE

OPTOMETRY 360

CONTENTS

KNOWLDEGE + FUN + INNOVATION

02 EDITOR'S NOTE
03 CONVERGE, 2022

The most awaited second scientific conference,
Converge is all set. Block your dates.

33 PERSPECTIVE COLUMN

AUS 18 CLINICAL PHOTOGRAPHS

04 OPTOMETRY PROSPECTS Featuring the clinical images sent by
OUTSIDE INDIA optometrists across India.

45 MEMES AND QUOTES CORNER

SHARE YOUR SMILE
AND MOTIVATE

57 31 53 ALUMNI CORNER

FOSSIL WORLD INNOVATIONS Exclusive feature about the successful alumni
of LVPEI, their talents and career paths.
An adventure that went Latest innovations in
wrong ! optometry. 55 CHRONICLES

Read the most interesting and inspiring
journeys of our alumni.

[email protected]
WWW.ALOPTOM.COM

Editor's
Note

SANDHYA Welcome to the 3rd edition of Optometry 360. We hope you and your loved ones are
SHEKAR safe and healthy. We received overwhelming responses for the 2nd edition of the
Optometry 360 magazine. I take this opportunity to laud the efforts of Team ALO in
EDITOR crafting and bringing to you a wholesome edition of this magazine and also express
my gratitude to those who made valuable contributions. Our Optometry Prospects
02 Outside India and Perspective columns took the cake in the last edition. We continue
to receive a good participation for our online Broaden Your Horizon series. The
SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03 session on Digital Eye Strain aka Computer Vision Syndrome was attended by 70
participants and received over 800 views. We also hosted the first Career Guidance
session where our esteemed alumni spoke about the varied career opportunities in
private practice and multi-national companies. Over 85 students attended the online
session.

We are also ecstatic to announce Converge, 2022. Converge is a scientific conference
organized by Team ALO for optometry students, practitioners and professionals from
all optometry organizations across India. We are excited that it is going to be in-
person at Hyderabad. It’s time to Connect, Capture and Celebrate. So, block your
calendars for 8th and 9th January, 2022 and begin your new year connecting and
celebrating with friends and peers. While the registrations open in November, 2021,
you can start submitting your abstracts from October 1st, 2021. For more details,
check the ALO website. We will soon make announcements on other platforms of
ALO.

In this edition of Optometry 360, we bring to you varied optometry and eye care
related content contributed by optometrists, both in house and from other optometry
institutes. Peruse through our Perspective Column to know more about contact lens
practice, data science, artificial intelligence, how to create a new habit and the
importance of investing in yourself. They are thoughtfully written by some of our
esteemed alumni. As our erudite alumni are involved in every field of optometric
vocation, in nearly every location around the world, we bring to you the extensive
clinical and research landscape of optometry outside India. This edition elucidates the
application and preparation aspects of pursuing higher degrees in Australia. As the
World Sight Day is fast approaching, the art and other talents showcased are based on
the same theme. Team ALO also congratulates the alumni who received awards and
accolades for their work and contributions.

We appreciate your participation and encourage you to further contribute to our
magazine. Please read through the guidelines to understand how to pitch to us. Team
ALO eagerly awaits to work with all of you.

Until next time,
Sandhya Shekar

Conference to
CONNECT, CAPTURE & CELEBRATE

8th & 9th January, 2022

Block
your
dates

Venue : Hyderabad

OPEN TO ALL OPTOMETRISTS

WWW.ALOPTOM.COM/CONVERGE

OOppttoommeettrryy pprroossppeeccttss
oouuttssiiddee iinnddiiaa

Are you considering a career in clinical practice, research or dispensing in other
parts of the world besides India? Do you wish there was a place where you could get
all your queries answered? Wish no more. Team ALO brings to you the landscape of
varied career opportunities of optometry across the world, one edition at a time. Our
erudite alumni are involved in every field of optometric vocation, in nearly every
location around the world. In this edition, we bring to you the extensive clinical and
research landscape of optometry and vision science in Australia. We spoke to Drs.
Ritika Kataria, Vinod Maseedupally and Mr. Vamsi Somanchi to understand what it
takes to prepare and apply for the Doctor of Optometry program, Ph.D program and
the OCANZ exams in Australia. Our alumni have demystified the application process
and career opportunities for the prospective students. Read along to understand
more about this.

Doctor of Optometry in Australia

What is Doctor of Optometry according to the Australian board?

The Doctor of Optometry program is a four year, full time post graduate optometry program conducted at
the University of Melbourne, Australia. It has been fully accredited by the Optometry Council of Australia
and New Zealand (OCANZ).

What is the structure of the O.D. program? Which universities in Australia offer this degree?

The OD program is a four year full time program and consists of both lectures and clinical placements.
Clinical education begins early on in the program and the final year of the program is entirely clinical
consisting of metropolitan, regional, rural and overseas placements. A research project is also part of the
second year of the program. The O.D. program in Australia is only available at the University of Melbourne.

What are the minimum requirements for the admission process?

a. Application process: The application is completed online and you will need your results from your
relevant undergraduate degree to be able to apply. This information is easily available on the University of
Melbourne website. First semester starts at the end of summer in February or early March and applications
close in July of the preceding year.

b. Exams to be taken: You will need to take either GAMSAT (Graduate Australian Medical School
Admission Test) or the MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) or the OAT (Optometry Admission Test,
USA) no more than two years before the start of the program.

c. Prerequisites: An undergraduate degree from any discipline with relevant biological science subjects.
GAMSAT or MCAT or OAT IELTS or TOEFL scores.

d. Minimum GPA requirement in bachelors: There is no specific GPA requirement listed currently on the 05
program website. However, securing admission is highly competitive and a record of good academic
performance will improve your chances of being admitted to the program. SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03

e. Does clinical experience, clinical internships, work experience etc. boost the admission process?
It is hard to say if clinical experience in optometry will lead to a successful application as the entry
requirements are more academic than clinical.

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03 At Optometry School:

a. How to prepare for the O.D. course load?
This is an intense program and will require discipline and
consistency to achieve good results. Attending lectures regularly and
interacting with your peers through online discussion forums is also
needed through the four years of this program. You will also need to
attend all pre-clinical and clinical placements and maintain good
clinical records.

b. What are the total credits required by the end of O.D. program ?
You need to complete 400 credit points over the 4 year program.

c. How is this different from the optometry program in India?
This program is very different from the Bachelor of Optometry program most of us have completed at
BLSO. It requires a deeper understanding of ocular anatomy, physiology microbiology, pharmacology,
neuro-optometry and ocular disease manifestation and management. Clinical skills are also assessed
more thoroughly and we need to be competent not only in anterior eye examination and refraction but
all other skills which we often didn’t get a chance to practice in our undergraduate degree. Optometrists
in Australia are independent primary eye care providers. We are also therapeutically endorsed, which
means that we are able to detect, diagnose and treat ocular diseases independently. Thus we are trained
in more advanced levels of evidence based practice in both theory and clinical skills.

d. Clinical experience (internship and externships)
This program offers a vast array of clinical opportunities. Majority of the
assessed clinical work is conducted at the Melbourne Eye Care clinic and
the Australian College of Optometry. These clinics expose you to various
specialties in optometry practice such as specialty contact lenses, pediatric
optometry and low vision clinics. You also have to complete several
metropolitan (within the city) and regional placements which helps with
understanding the scope of optometry practice. An overseas placement is
also compulsory, however it has been stopped due to the ongoing
pandemic.

e. How did you manage your finances and prepare yourself for a huge financial commitment? Were you
given any scholarships/funds like students receive in a research degree?
This is a very expensive program for international students. The current indicative course fee is
AUD$228,816. You also have to add the cost of living in Melbourne and any additional expenses such as
buying your own hand held optometry equipment and the cost of overseas and regional placements.
Unfortunately, overseas students do not have access to the same number of scholarships as local
students and you will have to see what is available at the time of application. If finances are a concern,
you also have to be prepared to work part time to be able to partially support yourself while you study.

f. Are there any board exams towards the end of the course for licensure?
06 There are no board exams. Once you graduate, you are eligible to apply for your registration.

What are the career opportunities after graduation?

.
There are plenty of opportunities available once you successfully complete the course. There are different
modes of optometry practice available in Australia. You can work either in metropolitan areas such as
major capital cities like Melbourne or Sydney, or you can work in regional or rural areas away from the
cities. You can work in a more retail, corporate optometry setting like Specsavers or OPSM or at an
independent optometry practice. I have worked in both settings and continue to work at an independent
practice in regional Victoria and have found that the scope of practice in a corporate optometry practice
can be quite limited.

What is your advice for prospective students who aspire to become
licensed optometrists in Australia ?

The O.D. program is a huge financial commitment and I would definitely
encourage prospective students to list out their motives to live and study
in Australia before making this decision. However, if you do decide to set
up your life in Australia, you can look forward to an excellent career with
the ability to make a real difference in the life of your patients and also
enjoy great work life balance.

What financial advice would you give to the prospective students?

I would advise students to ensure that they have the financial means to
support themselves and pay the entire course fees. You cannot rely on
working part time in Australia to be able to cover your expenses. As an
international student you can only work limited hours during the week
and the course load of this program will not allow you to work more than
10-15 hours; this is not enough to support yourself in Melbourne.

Will an O.D. degree be given the same importance in India ?

This is a difficult question to answer. It will depend on future regulation of Optometry in India. The OD
program allows you to work in Australia and New Zealand.

What are the chances of getting a job in the Australia and New Zealand and what is the process of 07
getting a work visa ?
SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03
If you are willing to travel around Australia, there are plenty of jobs available in regional and rural
Australia. In the last few years there has been a significant rise in the number of new graduates around
Australia and this makes it more competitive to secure a position in major cities.

The most convenient way to live and work in Australia is to apply for Permanent Residency, however, the
requirements for permanent residency are continuously evolving and unfortunately getting harder.
Australia has a point based skilled migration program and while optometrists are currently on the skilled
migration list, there is no guarantee this will continue to be the same in years to come. You can also apply
for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). It lets you live, study and work in Australia temporarily after
you have completed your qualification. It is always best to speak to a migration agent to help you make
the best decision for your circumstances.

Team ALO thanks Dr. Ritika Kataria for making a valuable contribution to this article

Dr. Ritika Kataria, OD
Optometrist

Quinn & Co. Eyecare

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03Optometry Practice in Australia for Overseas Candidates



Disclaimer: Please refer to the official OCANZ website before beginning your preparation as several
changes may have been made to the fee and exam structures owing to the ongoing pandemic.

Can you tell us a bit about OCANZ?

OCANZ or Optometry Council of Australia and New Zealand is an
accreditation body that establishes and applies quality standards of
optometry education, training and assesses overseas trained
optometrists. This is similar to Association of Schools and Colleges of
Optometry (ASCO) in India.

One must clear Competency in Optometry Examination (COE),
which then gives a candidate eligibility to register for a license with a
clause to complete Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics to obtain full
registration and practice optometry in Australia. Please visit the
website: https://www.ocanz.org/ for more up-to-date information
about the process.

When can a candidate give OCANZ exams?

One can give OCANZ exams after successfully completing an undergraduate degree (bachelor degree) from
an overseas optometry school. You do not need master’s or Ph.D. to give OCANZ exams.

You will still have to give OCANZ exams as an overseas candidate if you wish to practice in Australia or New
Zealand after your master’s or Ph.D. even though the colleges are already accredited by OCANZ.

What are the prerequisites for giving OCANZ exams?

The main and probably the only prerequisite is having an optometry
qualification (from a university, overseas) that OCANZ deems eligible.
The candidate must seek approval from the OCANZ body to give these
exams. The following factors are taken into account when assessing
the training in optometry at an overseas institution:

a) educational prerequisites for entry to the course

b) duration of the course

c) standard of the institution providing the course

08 d) standard of the qualification

e) course content (minimum 2000 hours of formal instruction of which one third should be instruction
in biomedical, visual and optical sciences)

f) the extent of supervised clinical training (minimum 400 hours of clinical experience in direct care and
management of patients under supervision of experienced clinical instructors)

g) whether the qualification held entitles registration to practice independently in the country of origin
Applicants with an optometry degree from Birla Institute of Technology & Science and Bausch & Lomb
School of Optometry however have a direct admission to sit for the COE.

Please describe OCANZ exam structure?

The exam is given in two parts. Part 1 includes the
written theory exam and part 2 is the practical exam.
Part 1 can be completed in one sitting and part 2 is
given in two stages:

Part 1: The six-hour written exam can be taken in the Part 2: Clinical practical exams: Candidates can
following locations: give part 2 exams only after successfully
completing part 1 exams. Part 2 has two stages.
Australia: Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth First stage of part 2 has clinical skills stations and
New Zealand: Auckland the candidate must demonstrate clinical skills
United Kingdom: London on mock patients posted in different stations.
USA: Washington These skills include slit lamp examination,
South Africa (Johannesburg) binocular vision assessment, gonioscopy,
ophthalmoscopy, contact lenses evaluation and
Note that there are no exam locations in India. fitting, visual fields etc. The second stage of part
2 is complete patient examination. You will be
The theory exam requires the candidate to be allowed to undertake the second stage of part 2
proficient in all core courses of optometry including only if you pass all the clinical stations in stage 1.
general and ocular anatomy & physiology, visual In this stage, the candidate must examine four
optics, geometrical optics, dispensing optics, real patients and provide appropriate
optometry clinical examination, binocular vision, optometric managements. The candidate will
contact lenses, low vision, eye diseases and have a stipulated duration of 70 minutes to
management, systemic diseases and their relation to complete a comprehensive eye examination
eye diseases. The written exam has two sub-sections. including a dilated fundus examination.
First section (3-hours) has multiple choice questions
and the second section (3-hours) is where you
answer in details and in brief which is mostly
clinical cases. Due to COVID-19, in 2021, the written
exams were conducted as an online proctored exam.

How can a candidate prepare for this exam? Are there materials available?

There are no preparation courses available or provided by OCANZ for preparation. We currently have over
20 alumni from BLSO/LVPEI who are practicing optometry in Australia and New Zealand and they will be
more than willing to help with any enquiry. The OCANZ website provides clear guidelines and the FAQ
section is a great resource. Take the exam seriously and set aside time for preparation. Revise all the
textbooks and optometry notes. Working in eye hospitals and institutions will come in handy.

Can the candidate retake the exam ? 09

Part 2 (both stages) must be completed within three years after successfully completing part 1. SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03
Candidates can retake the necessary sections but it has be taken within 3-years of the part 1 exam.

Any suggestions or advice you have for the What are the job opportunities like after
prospective candidates? successfully completing OCANZ competency
exams?
1. Check if undertaking OCANZ exams is the right
choice for you as this step is a huge time and Even after the successful completion of the
financial commitment. Some reasons to consider OCANZ competency exams, overseas
give OCANZ exams might be: candidates will still not be allowed to practice
in Australia until they complete a 1-year course
to migrate to Australia or New Zealand in ocular therapeutics. This qualification is
if you already moved here and want to use your mandatory to register as an optometrist in
optometry degree earned in India or elsewhere Australia and examine patients. However, here
if you have completed a Ph.D. or master’s but are some job opportunities:
want to add an extra feather in your hat that
brings more work opportunities either in Working for corporate businesses (similar to
Australia or New Zealand Lawrence & Mayo, Titan Eye Plus etc.)
Establishing independent practices
2. If you have decided to give the exams, ensure Working as an optometrist with a group of
that you have all the paper work in place. practitioners
Arranging and sorting paperwork for this can be Working as a locum optometrist. Locum
quite challenging optometrist is someone who is employed by
the company as a substitute for an
3. Once you submit the paperwork to OCANZ and optometrist on leave, this may involve
it approves your eligibility to undertake the exams, moving around, within or interstate. This
set aside some time to prepare for your theory practice is generally lucrative
exam. Look for Australian standards of optometry If you have already earned a Ph.D.,
practice, check for colour vision standards for registering yourself as an optometrist
various occupations, vision standards for driving, increases your chances of getting a job as an
occupational standards and safety eye equipment academic at the universities
etc. (which we usually don’t pay attention to) Working in an eye hospital. However, very
few optometrists do this. This is generally
4. I cannot emphasize the importance of practice opted by early career optometrists who
for the practical exam. If you are in Australia, get in want to gain more experience and
touch with the Australian optometrists. Work as confidence with ocular disease
optometry assistants in optometry practices or management
volunteer as teaching assistants as they all help
with practice especially according to the
Australian standards

5. For the patient examination section, timing is of
utmost importance. So plan your time and do not
leave any detail. Often it is the silly things that you
do that fail you

10 Does one need work or student experience in Australia prior to writing OCANZ exams?SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03

Any work experience that exposes one to Australian optometry regulations will be useful to prepare for
COE.

Are there any scholarships that a student can avail to cover the exam costs?

There are no scholarships available. You pay everything out-of-your-pocket. The total cost of the
application and exam fees including part 1 and part 2 estimates to about AUD 13,700. However, these
costs are subjected to change. So, make sure to check the website before you take a decision.

Dr. Vinod Maseedupally who holds a Ph.D. degree and has also cleared the OCANZ shares his
experience:

I thoroughly enjoyed the theory exam. The exam elated me as it forced me to use all parts of my
optometry brain. I passed the theory exam in the first attempt. I would have enjoyed the exam even if I
had failed. This is where I want to highlight the importance of clinical and teaching experiences I received
from L V Prasad Eye Institute. I also cleared section 1 of part 2 clinical exam in the first attempt. But, I failed
the second section i.e the patient examination stage. I am not ashamed of disclosing this. I was
conducting a comprehensive patient examination after nearly 10 years and I only blame myself for the silly
errors I committed. But I was able to crack it in the next attempt. I finished all the exams within the three-
year window. I want to immensely thank some of my Australian and Canadian colleagues who helped me
prepare for the clinical examination stages.

This help was important because while I had all the clinical skills, they needed to be fine-tuned to match
Australian standards, which was a different task.

Team ALO thanks Dr. Vinod Maseedupally and Mr. Vamsi Somanchi for making a valuable contribution to
this article

Dr. Vinod Maseedupally BSOpt, PhD, GradCertOcTher, FAAO, FBCLA
Lecturer,

School of Optometry and Vision Science
University of New South Wales



Mr. Vamsi Somanchi, Master in Health Services and Management and Practicing
Optometrist

Specscavers Franchise owner and Director at the Canberra Centre

11

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03

Flow diagram showing the entry pathways for overseas-trained optometrists to undertake the
Competency in Optometry Exam (COE) and the possible outcomes.



Flow chart courtesy: http://www.ocanz.org/examination/competency-in-optometryexamination.







12

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03

Are you passionately curious and spend your time pondering over the whys and hows? Do you
explore to find an answer to your questions? A career in research maybe your calling.

In our conversation with Dr. Vinod Maseedupally who pursued his Ph.D. in Australia, we asked
him to answer some of the frequently asked questions that every student or a graduate mulls

over.
Disclaimer: These are based on personal opinions and experiences. Please go through the

university website for more details.

AUS

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03Ph.D. in Australia

Disclaimer: These are based on personal opinions and experiences.
Interested candidates are urged to do their own research about Ph.D. entry, eligibility with specific

universities in Australia.



How do I decide if I should pursue a Ph.D. or not?

This is a very important question that a candidate who is interested in Ph.D. should ask themselves before
embarking on the journey. By committing to do a Ph.D., one is committing themselves to a lifelong journey of
research or academia. One must consider doing a Ph.D. :

if they want to answer burning questions in the field through research
if they want to be recognised as an expert in their field or discipline
If they have passion for innovation and design

Optometrists are better positioned in that as we can remain committed to research and also continue clinical
practice.

What are the minimum academic requirements to be eligible for Ph.D. applications in Australia?

A bachelor’s degree with honours (honours indicates that there was a research thesis component embedded
within the degree) with good GPA
A master’s degree by coursework or by research (latter is preferred)
Research experience as demonstrated by publications in indexed journals and presentations at popular
international conferences in the field

How integral a great GPA for securing a Ph.D. admission?

An excellent GPA is very important for admissions and scholarships when applying for a Ph.D.. Most
universities have a minimum cut-off for admission. This is to ensure that the candidates being admitted
are of good quality. This cut off is usually set to 75% (note that this cut-off may vary between universities)
after scaling the university the candidate obtained their qualification from.

An admission is only telling you that you can join the university and start a Ph.D.. This also means that
the candidate has to support their Ph.D. by paying tuition fee, bear the living expenses and medical
insurance upfront for the entire duration of Ph.D. out of their pocket. The tuition fees usually estimates at
$22,000 AUD per year and one can estimate the same amount towards living expenses. As you can
imagine, this is beyond the capability of an average Indian. Therefore, the candidate must secure a
scholarship to support their Ph.D. tuition fee, living expenses and medical insurance.

Some countries (generally government bodies) support their citizens by providing scholarships for
14 pursuing a Ph.D. abroad. It is up to the candidate to look for such opportunities within their country

Many international universities support overseas candidates by offering international scholarships.
However, to be eligible for such scholarships the GPA cut-off bar is exorbitantly higher as you will be
competing with other formidable candidates, purely based on merit.

So, the higher the grades the greater are one’s chances to get into the Ph.D. program.
But, do not be discouraged if you do not have a good GPA as there are other ways you can make up for
this.

Is it good to have some work experience or apply before graduating from B.S.?

If one has a very high GPA in their degree (note that the degree must have an honours component),
they are in a better position to be eligible for a scholarship. Certainly having work experience adds
more credit. The work experience becomes even more important for those who could not secure a
good GPA. Many candidates who want to get into Ph.D. get into clinical or corporate areas. While this
is counted as work experience, a research experience adds more significance. So, it would be prudent
to look for opportunities such as research assistant or research optometrist. Also, ensure that the
research position leads to publications. Having at least one first author publication makes a lot of
difference and will shadow the low GPA that was earned in the undergraduate degree.

What are some guidelines for applying for a Ph.D. ? 15

Start building a research profile during your undergraduate degree or immediately after SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03
completing the degree. One does not have to be an expert in the field, but laying a foundation
shows that one is interested in research

Work as a research assistant or research optometrist. This helps in two ways:

i) allows the candidate to learn new skills that differentiates them from others. Skills one must
focus on are academic writing, statistics, programming skills (MATLAB, Python etc), lab skills (e.g.
microbiology, biochemistry, genetics) etc., These days there are several courses available online
such as Coursera, MOOC etc.
ii) enables the candidates to publish either as a co-author or as a primary author. I cannot
emphasize the importance of a publication for a competitive Ph.D. application
Contacting a potential supervisor. It is often best to contact the potential supervisor early and build
a rapport with them. One does not have to ask the potential supervisor to discuss only for a
possibility of Ph.D. as one is only planting the seeds, not aiming to pluck the fruit from an ungrown
tree! The candidate must contact the potential supervisor and express their interest in research
and a research topic that they are interested in. The candidate must say why they are interested in
a certain topic and seek their help or ask them to be a mentor. Do not even mention about Ph.D.
yet. The candidate is seeking mentorship while the potential supervisor is in a different country
(mentorship may not be possible for lab work, for instance), although if the candidate is clever
enough they can make it possible as they may be not be working in a research-intensive
institution. One may seek mentorship in writing a literature review, systematic review, meta-
analysis etc., In most cases research faculty like to mentor. Note that the candidate is seeking
mentorship and not adding to the workload of the potential supervisor. Doing the ground work
such as this will help cement a relationship with the potential supervisor. If they have funds, they
may even offer a Ph.D. even before the candidate mentions about it
Selecting the university/institute: This depends on one’s research interests. Some schools are good
in contact lens research, while some are best in psychophysics and some are good in retinal or
macular diseases. The candidates need to explore this. The decision partially depends also on the
country. While we humans are career driven, we are also emotional beings. Is the candidate okay to
move to a country and visit their family once in a year or even lesser? Is the candidate okay to live
in extreme whether? Accept different culture? etc.

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03Do I need to have a master’s degree for applying for a Ph.D.? How does this work in Australia?

Another way to compensate for a low GPA in the undergraduate degree is by pursuing a postgraduate
degree. Your application is assessed based on the latest degree you have pursued and hence having a
master’s degree serves advantageous. There are two types of master’s degree; one is coursework
(MOptom.) and the other is research intensive (MSc. by research or MPhil.). The coursework also has a
research component but it is quite limited. It is a bit disappointing that not many institutes in India
offer master’s degree in research. The workaround for this is that the candidate can choose to work as
research assistant or research optometrist. I encourage candidates to gain more experience and have a
prolific research output as a research assistant than pursuing a sloppy master’s degree. Personally, the
degree is not worth the time and money. Again, this advice is solely to those who choose to build a
research career.

Is the Ph.D. funded always?

Not always. Here are a few possibilities:
Candidate’s Ph.D. application was successful with full scholarship: This means that the candidate
is supporting their own Ph.D. through a scholarship and is not dependent on supervisor’s funds. Did
you know that you may be able to move between universities (within the country), change the topic
of research and select a different supervisor if you are awarded a full scholarship? Check for the
latest updates of this rule before making an application.
Candidate’s Ph.D. application successful with partial scholarship: This means that the candidate is
able to support their Ph.D. partially and is dependent on their supervisor’s funds or other sources to
support the rest of their Ph.D.
Candidate’s Ph.D. application successful with supervisor’s funds: This means that the candidate’s
Ph.D. is fully supported by supervisor funds (from their research grants) and the candidate is
accepting the area of research assigned to them by their supervisor, leaving less room to wiggle.

Tips for choosing a research supervisor?

If the supervisor is an eminent person in a given field, the advantage is that they often have funds
(that they received from research grants) to support candidates’ Ph.D. This also means that the
potential supervisor is extremely selective about who they want as their Ph.D. student (here the
candidate’s earned skills make a difference!). Contacting such a supervisor is worthy when you are
unsure if your GPA makes you competitive but your skills could override the GPA. Because the funds
are generally managed by the potential supervisor, they have a major role in selecting the candidate
for a Ph.D. That is why it is important to develop a rapport with them. One limitation with eminent
supervisors is that they often fail to give quality time to their students. While there are several
supervisors who are very efficient in managing their time and devote quality time to their students,
there are a few who may not be able to. It is a word of caution as I have seen some students suffer
from lack of guidance during their candidature. Working with a renowned supervisor also lifts the
Ph.D. candidates’ profile soon. Such supervisors are often very pushy about publications. They may
also include the Ph.D. candidate in their grant application, help secure a job after completing a Ph.D.
16 as they are often successful in major grants. But there is also a risk that the supervisor might simply
retire

If the supervisor is early or mid in their career, they are often less approached by the potential Ph.D.
candidates. But, they are most willing to accept Ph.D. students as this helps build their career too.
This way the potential supervisor becomes less selective about the candidate. This does not mean
that they would accept a sloppy student . A major limitation with the early or mid-career
researcher is that they often do not have major research grants to support a Ph.D. student. They may
partially fund the candidate’s Ph.D. (e.g. the supervisor’s fund may only support towards the tuition
fee, and candidate must look for other ways to support living expenses etc.)

Is TOFEL/ IELTS necessary for Ph.D. in Australia?

Yes, it is necessary. Most universities require an English language proficiency test. Look for the
requirements set by the universities during the application process. English language requirement may be
waived in some cases.

What are the booming areas of research in Australia?

Personally speaking, there is ample research ongoing in the areas of macular degeneration, diabetic
retinopathy, glaucoma, myopia, dry eye, brain injury, use of artificial intelligence in detecting eye diseases,
qualitative research in visual impairment and blinding eye diseases. I consider these the booming areas of
research as these areas are well funded. But, that does not imply that you should not consider other areas
such as optics, contact lenses etc.

What are some key points to be added in a SOP?

Statement of purpose (SOP) is mostly important for US universities. But in general, SOP is all about
explaining the candidate’s driving factor to apply for a Ph.D.. What are the reasons for selecting the
particular research topic, why this university and why does the candidate think they are a best fit?

What are some calculated risks that one needs to take while applying and when finishing a Ph.D.?

This is a very important question. When I chose to do a Ph.D., I had this in my mind. The major calculated
risk is that you are going to become an expert in a very tiny area or field and you may lose grip on various
other areas. Before my Ph.D., I was proficient in all areas of optometry but now, my knowledge and
experience are restricted to only contact lenses. However, as I am a registered optometrist in Australia
now, I am catching up on it. Another risk is that you may get used to a very planned living in another
country hence making it difficult to go back to your home country.

How does a Ph.D. help in future?

Ph.D. gives you an opportunity to improve your research skills and connects you with like-minded
researchers. Then, it is up to you how you want to row your boat. In many universities Ph.D. is the
minimum requirement to take on an academic position. If you wish to secure an academic position
outside India, pursue a Ph.D. outside of India. I don’t mean to imply that the quality of Ph.D. in India is bad.
The networking opportunities, I think, are better overseas. I don’t think the skills I earned, the resources I
could play with and the exposures I had would have been possible had I stayed in India.

17

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03

They say Ph.D. is not enough these days. Is that true?

According to Australian statistics, the number of HDR completions have doubled between 1998 and 2018. This
means there is an increased competition for jobs in universities. I recommend reading the article published in the
University World News (https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20130403121244660).

I see Ph.D. as a recognition of one’s ability to conduct research and not an independent researcher. During Ph.D., the
candidate’s hand is held by the supervisor, therefore it does not demonstrate ‘independency’. To demonstrate one’s
ability as an independent researcher, they must continue in the research field even after Ph.D. A logical step after
completing a Ph.D. is to acquire more research experience to prove one’s ability as an independent researcher, this
is possible through a postdoctoral fellowship. I suggest pursuing postdoctoral fellowship in another university and
not in the same university where one has completed their PhD, as changing universities will help expanding
connections in the field.

To survive in the research field, keep publishing, attract small and big grants, collaborate with other disciplines and
industries, and attract higher degree research (HDR) (Ph.D., MPhil, MSc etc) students and be visible. I still remember
the words from the keynote address given by the chief guest at my Ph.D. graduation ceremony. He said “the
completion of Ph.D. does not bring you at the top of the ladder, you just arrived at the bottom of the ladder.” In fact,
I started working harder after completing my Ph.D. than during my Ph.D. (Of course, I chose this path of education).

What is the scope of research opportunities in India if one wishes to return?

While I cannot answer this question confidently, the opportunities back in India are not less promising. I
have seen many of my co-Ph.D. candidates go back to India and taken up academic positions in
universities (both government and private) or academic institutions. Again, it is up to them how they like
to row their boats. I have witnessed our alumni attracting government research grants in India which is
very welcoming move. I will not say that the opportunities are plenty but the landscape of optometry in
India is changing rapidly. Most universities are encouraging academic positions for Ph.D. holders. This,
hopefully, should attract Ph.D. holders outside of India to return. I also hope that more research labs are
established in the process. We just need to wait and watch.

Your advice for students/graduates who are planning to apply?

Before applying for a Ph.D., one should as themselves the question “do I really want to do a Ph.D.?”

Team ALO thanks Dr. Vinod Maseedupally for making a valuable contribution to this article

17

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03

PERSPECTIVE

COLUMN

TIPS FOR CONTRIBUTING TO 19

THE PERSPECTIVE COLUMN SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03




Optometry 360 aims to cater to both practicing optometrists and students, both from LVPEI and from
other optometry schools and institutes. We envisage to bring to you the best practices and interesting
stories from different institutes across the country. Hence we are excited to extend this invitation to
contribute to the optometry fraternity. One such section where everyone can contribute is the
“Perspective Column.” Perspective column is a mix of scientific and science writing. While they both
could mean the same, there is a slight nuance between them. Scientific writing is an objective
communication of science related best practices and research shared by clinicians and researchers.
Science writing, although does the same, engages the readers and keeps them enthused with your
passion for the subject. While the former doesn’t encourage subjective beliefs, wishes and hopes, the
latter encourages you to share your beliefs and hopes to explain the motivation of your science or
practice. We want to bring the best of both these features in our column. Hence we invite optometry
or related articles elucidating a scientific revelation, a concept or a topic sporadically discussed,
evidence based best practice, story of a new invention/discovery or anything that keeps our audience
engaged, in your own words. We have four such articles in our current edition.
If you wish to contribute to this section, please send us your pitch. Our team of editors will walk you
through the process and help you in bettering the article when necessary. Here are some guidelines for
pitching to us:

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Images and photographs: Feel free to add photographs, graphs, flow charts to articulate your
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Grammar: Grammar is of utmost importance. There are several free grammar check platforms
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Practice the art of brevity: The briefest construct of words that explicitly states a thought is long
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Time: Please allow at least 2-3 days to hear back from the team. If you don’t hear back from us
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We take this process seriously and we expect the same from you. While we are happy to help you
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When in doubt, reach out to our team at [email protected]

We look forward to receiving your interesting articles and working with you.

THE INVESTMENT,
THAT IS YOU.

DR. KALIKA BANDAMWAR (PH.D., B.S. OPTOMETRY)

Assistant Professor, Department of Optometry, Chitkara School of Health Sciences, Punjab, India.
Kalika completed her PhD from the School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Australia in the year 2012 and
her optometry degree with the L.V. Prasad Eye Institute. She has more than 9 years of research and academic experience, including her role
as Manager for Research Centre at the Brien Holden Vision Pvt Ltd India. She has successfully presented to national and international
audiences, received several competitive awards and when possible has committed time to the education of students.

“The best investment is investing in yourself”. Most of us have probably heard this at some point in our lives. I
certainly did and not just once but several times by the wise women and men I am so fortunately surrounded by.
However, it was only later in my life I realized that this cliché is the best piece of advice one can get.

The realization that what we are today is only because of the choices we made initiates a chain of reactions in our thought
process. When we accept that our present is made of the choices we made in the past, we start making the right ones for
better future. Making the right choice consciously and consistently until it becomes a habit is hard-work. The wisest man I
know once told me that there is no substitute for hard-work and discipline. I cannot emphasize how true that is.
I am hoping that this article gives some insight and convinces the readers, especially the young lads and lasses to start
investing in themselves.

Often, we don’t know what it means to invest in ourselves and where to start. All it needs is a conscious choice

to commit to growth and progress through small but consistent efforts. Remember, the smallest things make the
biggest differences. Look at life as a transaction and in this very important transaction “you” are the investment and
“time” is the currency. Time is the only currency that matters so, spend it wisely. Below are some of the areas that
one can consider to invest in. I have also made some suggestions to start incorporating the small changes easily.
But remember, hard work is the key.

20 S E T G O A L S Having well defined goals help in devising a plan. A
goal could be something as simple as waking up early

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03 Setting goals is the first step towards investing in in the morning every day or choosing to read a good
yourself. Only you can decide what your goal is. book or quitting that bad habit you have always
If you let someone else do it for you, you might wanted to get rid of. The most sustained changes are
not have the conviction or commitment to fulfil the ones that take place slow. Do not expect an
it. You can invest in your health, education, overnight change. It’s too easy and good things don’t
profession, hobby and relationships; the choice come easily. Also, it may be good to consider one
is yours. goal at a time and add them on as you get better at
executing it.

INVEST IN SKILLS AND INVEST IN
KNOWLEDGE RELATIONSHIPS

Invest time in upgrading and polishing your skills like The best type of people are the ones you can be
enrolling into an academic course, for instance. friends with. Friendship goes a long way in life. Invest
Updating your skills and getting better at it is a time in maintaining friendships. Networking and
confidence booster. While selecting professional connecting are underrated in clinical and academic
courses, ensure that they align with your goals and lines of work. They are quite important and need
are delivered by accredited bodies. Attend as many constant effort. A good connection can do wonders in
workshops and seminars as possible. Whenever the worst of times and can give a boost in the best of
possible, make some time for teaching, as it's the times. Also, remember to always be kind to everyone,
best way to learn. So, consider teaching often. kindness reciprocates.

INVEST IN GOOD HEALTH INVEST IN HAPPINESS

Regular exercise routine for a minimum of 30 minutes, Where you are in your life is a result of your habits.
walking or meditation is absolutely essential for your American historian and philosopher, Will Durant, said
body and mind. Invest time towards your health. it best “we are what we repeatedly do. Excellence,
Drinking 2 liters of water and sleeping for at least 6 then, is not an act, but a habit.” So, make happiness a
hours is a must for healthy life. If you are not doing any habit. Enjoy and appreciate the small things in life.
of this at the moment, pick one habit that you can Cherish the best memories and smile as often as you
easily adapt and start with that. Make a plan to add the can. Make a choice to be happy, invest time in
next one after a finite period of time. Do this until you activities that make you happy.
have added them all. Don’t just start, it is important to
keep going. “Consistent efforts” are the key words
here.

HOW TO START?

You start now and you start strong! Make a list of goals you wish to achieve. Prepare a task-list you need to 21
complete to reach your goal. These goals could be either personal or professional. Make sure they are specific
and you have a clear vision for them. For instance, if your goal is to be happy, then it is not very specific. You SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03
need to have clarity on what would make you happy. So instead of a generic goal that says “I want to be happy”,
you may choose to say, “I want to be the best skilled contact lens practitioner in my town”. This way you have
thought enough about what makes you happy and the goal is specific. Once you set your goal you need to
prepare the task list. The task now would be to gain knowledge and skills to be the best contact lens practitioner.
You would then be able to identify the best institutes that provide the type of skill training you need. You may
want to do an internship with a clinician who is a great mentor and would help you get closer to your goal. You
could then make a list of conferences and workshops where you will be able to update your knowledge.

"CLEAR GOALS HELP IN PLANNING YOUR NEXT STEPS EFFICIENTLY"
When your task list for all your goals is ready, the first 5-10 minutes of your day are the most crucial ones. Utilize
them to plan your day and ensure you have included at least one task per day that would get you closer to your
goals. The 5-10 minutes before you go to bed are important too, ask yourself this question - what have I done
today to achieve my goals? Documenting the tasks completed is the best way to monitor your progress.
If you lazy out making these changes or documenting the efforts you have been taking, you can be sure that your
future may not look any different, any better than what your present is. If this happens more often than you
would like, it’s time you may want to seek a coach. This could be your friend, a well-wisher, your parent or a
professional. A coach who has walked the path before will keep you inspired and ensure that you reach your
goals in a timely manner.
Keeping track of things is absolutely essential to ensure that you are making the right choices and you are
making them regularly. It is okay to lose rhythm sometimes, it’s human nature. But you will not know that you
lost the rhythm if you don’t track. Here is a sample checklist you can draw inspiration from to set up your task
list. Go ahead, take charge of your life now. There is no better time than the present to start investing in yourself.

22

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03

HOW TO

REDUCE

MS. FAIZA BHOMBAL CONTACT
LENS
B.Optom from Aditya Jyot Institute of Optometry, 2012
Residency in Contact Lens, LVPEI, Hyderabad
Currently working with Bynocs as a Consultant Optometrist and
freelancing contact lens
practitioner in different clinics

Contact lenses are not only lifestyle enhancers for DROPOUTS? SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03
the patient but also a profit maker for
practitioners. Spectacle wearers are important for Similarly, the rigid gas permeable lenses have
practice, but contact lens wearers tend to return also undergone changes manifold and we are
to the clinic more often for follow up currently prescribing Boston Scleral Lenses. By
examinations. Unfortunately, the cessation of reducing contact lens dropouts, we are not only
contact lens begins with skipping a few days of making the patients happy but we are also
wear, eventually turning out to be a permanent increasing our profits. Every patient entering your
stop in wearing contact lens. It could be because clinic is a potential contact lens wearer. If your
of various reasons such as vision, discomfort, cost patient choses to quit using contact lenses, it’s
and convenience related. your job as practitioners to guide and help them
find a solution with the right approach.
Along with good vision, contact lens wearers need
to be assured comfortable wear. The maximum History taking and asking the right questions: 23
number of dropouts are due to contact lens
Talk to the patient as the most common reason of
related discomfort [1]. As good vision and contact lens dropout is discomfort, which can be
comfort go hand in hand, contact lens wearers due to dryness and blurred vision. As a
end up dropping out due to any kind of practitioner, communicate with the patient
discomfort. But, with better technology, we can efficiently and effectively to understand their
maximise the wearer’s satisfaction. Back in the problem. Hence, the first step in preventing
days, we only had the option of prescribing soft contact lens drop out is to ask the right questions.
contact lenses disposable once a year but now, we
have daily disposable silicone hydrogel lenses.

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03Never ask

“How do you feel with your contact lens?”
“Are your eyes ok with contact lens?”
‘How are your contact lens?”
“Are you comfortable with contact lens?”

Always ask

“I know you are doing well with your contact lens, do you want to make them better?”
“How do your eyes and contact lenses feel at the end of the day?”

Treat the cause

Once you know the cause, the next step is to prevent it. If the patient is complaining of blurred vision,
check vision with contact lens and spectacles to understand changes in the prescription. Perform a
complete eye examination to evaluate the ocular health and also contact lens. Most of the patients
complain of ocular surface dryness as they may be spending long hours in front of a monitor or in air-
conditioned rooms, which are the two most common causes of dryness. Prescribing lubricants to the
contact lens wearer (when associated with an eye hospital) or changing the brand or modality of contact
lenses is an easy solution. If the patient is a first time wearer, make sure to perform a complete eye
examination including tear film assessment, Schirmer’s test and always stay ahead of any reason for
discomfort. Daily disposables are the best option as they reduce the chance of any infection and
provide superior comfort to the eyes. Always give the patient a trial to help them understand the lens
feel, comfort and performance.

Contact lens technology is evolving and progressing with time. So, there is always a possibility to
prescribe contact lenses as per the patient’s lifestyle. Educate the patient about the latest trends. Do not
confuse patient with many options and always state a reason with your recommendation.
Aforementioned, contact lens wearers are extremely important in our practice. So, providing
exceptional service from the beginning is a great way to gain the patient’s confidence and achieve
increased satisfaction.

24

References:
1. Pritchard N, Fonn D, Brazeau D
Int Contact Lens Clin. 1999 Nov; 26(6):157-162.
Pucker AD, Tichenor AA. A Review of Contact Lens Dropout. Clin Optom (Auckl). 2020;12:85-94. Published 2020 Jun 25. doi:10.2147/OPTO.S198637

Who Will Rub The Magic Lamp to Let The Contact Lens

Genie Out?

LAKSHMI SHINDE MSC OPTOM (UNSW), FAAO, FIACLE, FBCLA

Lakshmi Shinde graduated from Elite School of Optometry, Chennai. She worked at the Contact Lens
Department of L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad. During her period with the Institute she was
associated with CL clinical research studies and was a CL Consultant at the hospital. She completed
her Masters in Optometry (through research) from University of New South Wales, Sydney (Australia).
During her time with LVP she was also associated with International Association of Contact Lens
Educators (IACLE) India meetings when I ACLE was launched in 1993-94 in India. Following her
completion of Masters, she has been associated with (IACLE) and is presently the Executive Manager of
Global Education. She is also a recipient of the prestigious American Academy award for her
contribution to international optometry. She also received the “optometrist of the year”
award from Sankara Nethralaya in 2016. She is also the CEO of Optometry Council of
India (OCI), which is a self-regulatory body for optometry in India. She share an
optometry practice with her husband and her area of interest is specialty contact lens fitting.

Refractive error is the second greatest cause of avoidable blindness worldwide [1]. It is a matter of
significant concern, especially when coupled with the increasing trend in myopia, estimated to affect half
the world’s population by 2050 [2]. In addition, presbyopia, one of the first signs of aging, is affecting a
higher proportion of the population for a longer duration as life expectancy is on the rise [3]. Contact
lenses (CLs) are a relatively safe and effective modality for the correction of refractive errors and the
estimated number of CL wearers worldwide is approximately 175 million. This number represents a
relatively small penetration into the potential market, considering the prevalence of refractive errors and
the need for refractive correction among the general public [4].

There has been a significant evolution of contact lens (CLs) in terms 25
of oxygen permeable materials, designs, wear modality, care
products and systems(5). However, this development does not SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03
seem to have proportionally translated into the growth of CL
market in India. According to the latest estimate by the CL industry,
from a target group of 28 million potential CL wearers, only 1.6
million actually wear CLs which translates into a penetration of
approximately 5.7%. This is not remarkably different from the 2010
report on Indian CL market. Several factors may be responsible for
this limited uptake of CLs among people needing vision correction.
According to a study based on the perspective of eye care
practitioners, increased chair time for practitioners and lack of
information among consumers were the most common barriers for
recommending CLs in India [6]. Increased chair time also seems like
a key factor, especially in India, as optometrist consultation fee is
not mandatory and is still unregulated. Practitioners sill do not
consider CLs as an ample revenue generating model due to this
factor.

Nonetheless, there is evidence that CLs are discussed with fewer than
half of the potential wearers (48%) during a routine eye examination,
and surprisingly only 27% of discussions are initiated by the
optometrist. Nilesh et al studied the conversion rates from proactive
recommendation to CL application that finally resulted in CL
dispensing(7).

The study showed that with proactive Another study recently published looked at
recommendation by an optometrist, 72% with no opportunities and threats to proactive prescribing
previous experience of wearing CLs showed of CLs (8). Overall, multifocal CLs for presbyopia,
willingness to try, of which, 53% were dispensed CLs for myopia control, the use of daily
with CLs. This shows that when CLs are offered as disposable (DD) CLs by occasional wearers, and
a vision correction option, half the population is the availability of biocompatible materials to
willing to wear them. This study also showed that improve comfort were perceived by practitioners
once the subjects agreed to wear CLs, the method as promising opportunities for CL practice
of recommendation, be it a CL trail or the person development. In contrast, the use of diagnostic,
who helped in selecting his/her spectacle frame therapeutic or bionic CLs and fitting
did not matter. Interestingly, the study did not coloured/cosmetic CLs were perceived less
find any difference between men and women favourable.
opting for CLs. Practitioners expressed concerns regarding the
availability of CLs online without practitioners’
This study provides strong evidence that supervision and the access to CL prescriptions via
optometrists do not offer CLs as a mode of vision digital devices (such as on-line remote exams) in
correction to people with refractive errors. They the absence of direct involvement of the
still look at spectacles as a better revenue professionals. Refractive surgery and the
generating model. The revenue model for CLs is innovation of new spectacle designs as well as the
continuous with income generated through risk of infection related to CLs were rated as less
solutions, sunglasses and the purchase of a spare concerning among the options proposed.
spectacle pair. These options need to be factored
in when an entrepreneur looks at revenue
generation from CLs.

This indicates that practitioners do see newer types of CLs, innovation in CL industry and products as anSEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03
opportunity to increase CL recommendation to a wider population. However, identifying opportunities
and needs does not directly translate to change in practice, with the need for further education often
cited as a reason for a lack of engagement. Recognition of CLs dispensing as a revenue generating model
over a long period of time, confidence in dispensing CLs, charging CL consultation fee and appropriate
follow up for CL patients are some of the ways that can increase the CL market in India. However, we
come back to the question of “will the optometrists rub the magic lamp to let the CL genie out?” This
question is for the readers to answer.

26

1. ​Flaxman, S.R., et al., Global causes of blindness and distance vision impairment 1990-2020: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet
Glob Health, 2017. 5(12): p. e1221-e1234.
2.​Holden, B.A., et al., Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia and Temporal Trends from 2000 through 2050.Ophthalmology, 2016. 123(5):
p. 1036-42.
3.​Wolffsohn, J.S. and L.N. Davies, Presbyopia: Effectiveness of correction strategies. Prog Retin Eye Res, 2019. 68: p. 124-143.
4. H​ ashemi, H., et al., Global and regional estimates of prevalence of refractive errors: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of current
ophthalmology, 2017. 30(1): p. 3-22.
5.​N. Efron, P.B. Morgan, A decade of contact lens prescribing trends in the United Kingdom, Contact Lens Anterior Eye 29 (2006) 59–68.
6. ​N. Thite, S. Naroo, P.B. Morgan, L. Shinde, K. Jayanna, B. Boshart, Motivators and barriers for contact lens recommendation and wear, Contact
Lens Anterior Eye 38 (2015) e41.
7. N​ Thite, L Shinde, P Sawant, A Shinde. Proactie Contact Lens prescribing – Which approach is more effective? Contact Lens Anterior Eye, 41
(2018) 4.
8.​N Thite, Alfredo, L Shinde, J Wolfson, Opportunities and threats to Contact lens practice, Contact Lens Anterior Eye, 42 (2019), 6

OPTOMETRY & TECHNOLOGY

Dr. Ganesh Babu completed his bachelor's in optometry from LVPEI's Bausch & Lomb School of Optometry. He is actively
involved in teaching optometry fellows, interns and students. He was awarded a Ph.D. by the University of New South
Wales (UNSW). Currently, Ganesh is a "Clinical Data Scientist" at Center for Technology Innovation - LVPEI and also mentors
Image reading center at Suven Clinical Research Centre - LVPEI. His has published in various peer reviewed journals about
Glaucoma diagnosis, HVF, OCT and capacity building for diabetic retinopathy screening by optometrist in India. His current
research involves an artificial intelligence tool for screening retinal disease like diabetic retinopathy, ARMD using non-
mydriatic fundus images. He is also developing predictive models for the outcome of cataract surgery with different IOLs
and progression rate of Keratoconus.

CLINICAL DATA SCIENCE

Data science is one of the happening areas with the potential to do more and grow. Data science is a
process of using data to understand different things. In my understanding, it is when you have a model
or hypothesis of a problem and you try to validate that with your data.

Data science is the art of uncovering the insights and trends that are hiding behind data. One can
translate the data into a story to generate insight. With these insights, you can make strategic choices
for a company or an institution. Data science is a field about processes and systems to extract data from
various structured or unstructured forms. Data is real and has fundamental properties, so we need to
study them if we're going to work on them.

What is Data Science? 27

I see data science as an attempt to Image source: Dr. Jonnadula Ganesh Babu SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03
work with data to find answers to
questions one is exploring. Data
science is relevant today because
we have tons of data available. Until
a few years ago, we used to worry
about lack of data or processing the
data as the software was expensive.
But now it's open-source and free.
We couldn't store large amounts of
data in the past but now, we can
save gazillions of datasets for a very
low price. So, there has never been
a better time to be a data scientist,
until now.

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03 Data analysis isn't new. What's new is the vast quantity of data
available from massively varied sources such as data from sales,
patient information files, performance data, sensor data, security
cameras, etc. At the same time, there is more data available than ever,
and we have the computing power needed to make a useful analysis of
this data to produce new understandings. Data science can help
organizations like LVPEI understand their environments, analyze
existing issues and uncover previously hidden opportunities. Good
data scientists are curious to ask questions and understand the
business requirement. For instance, "what data do we need to solve
the problem, and where will that data come from?".
Data scientists can analyze structured and unstructured data from several sources and depending on
the nature of the problem, they can choose to analyze the data in different ways. When data reveals its
insights, the data scientist becomes a storyteller, communicating the results to project stakeholders.
Data scientists can use powerful data visualization tools to help stakeholders understand the nature of
the results and recommended actions. Data Science is changing the way we work, use data, and it’s also
changing the way organizations understand the world.

My quest is to always conduct cutting-edge It is the foundation of precision medicine practice, it
research and provide clinical informatics support improves the prediction of health outcomes and
to develop and integrate state-of-the-art health disease progression for timely interventions, and
information technology tools into the day-to-day aids in standardizing care by providing diagnostic
care of our patients. There is a misconception and therapeutic recommendations based on
28 about what “big data” is-other than simply large aggregated inputs from fellow physicians and other
volumes of data, big data has been further resources. Ophthalmology is one of the most data-
characterized by its variety (how accurate), and driven specialties in medicine, with data ranging
value (how useful). Big data can bring significant from numerical values (e.g., intra ocular pressure,
benefits to biomedical research, clinical medicine, spherical equivalent, and so on), 2-dimensional
and health care. It can potentially transform the images (e.g., fundus photographs), 3-dimensional
way health care is perceived, practiced, and scans (e.g., optical coherence tomography), to
delivered. Big data can improve clinical care by clinical and surgical records. Unfortunately, these
developing sophisticated algorithms that provide data are often unstructured and could not be
physicians with a holistic representation of an adequately curated until now.
individual's health status. (McCue & McCoy 2017)

Digital Health and Artificial

Intelligence in Eyecare


Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a branch of computer technology. Computer technology has several things in

common, including what is generally known as the input layer, the inner layer, the hidden layer and the
output layer. We put data in at the input level and then the inner layer in the AI uses algorithms to
analyze that data. It learns from that data, and then builds and learns from that data through a whole
data analysis process.
It’s a fairly complex program and we don't program it ourselves. What we used to work on has ended up
going to the platforms. Platforms such as TensorFlow, Microsoft Azure, and IBM Watson are basically
available in the cloud and you tap into them for their services. They have an enormous array of
programs that allow you to work and virtually ask almost any potential questions you have

It is programmed carefully as it has to learn. But, 29
its beauty lies in its neural networks. Just like
how our brain learns at a certain level, and then SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03
it keeps layering additional information into that
level as we input through knowledge, the same
thing happens with an AI system. It learns from
what it's trained on and starts increasing its
knowledge by memorizing, sending feedback,
and analyzing when there is a need.

AI was first described 50 years ago. In the past 5
to 10 years, deep learning (DL), a new branch of
AI, has been developed with improving
computing power and large datasets. Research
using more contemporary AI techniques,
including DL has shown robust results that have
surpassed human performance in many areas
of medicine and healthcare.

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03Thus, AI has possibly reached a “tipping point” in
technology readiness for translation into the real-
world application (Haider 2015).

If optometrists choose to remain in a traditional
practice, their practice may not go well. But, if they
begin to expand their scope of what they want to
do for the patient, and by that, I not only mean
within eye care but going beyond, such as genetic
counseling and immunological work, for
instance, will keep the optometric practice vital and dynamic. In the next 10-20 years, there will be a
drastic change as AI will be assisting the optometrist in what we're trying to deliver to the patient.

As technology continues to influence optometry, AI will continue to make transformational changes. The
real test for optometry is two-fold. Firstly, we must embrace innovations such as AI. Secondly, we must
be objective in assessing and adopting AI for optometry to mature as a profession. In order to facilitate
this, optometrists must evolve with systems where they offer services based on online media, app-based,
or devices as an attachment to mobile cameras for examinations. An optometrist should be able to
deliver eye care the way a patient wants, needs and at any time.

AI and Telemedicine

Telemedicine-based Diabetic Retinopathy
(DR) screening programs are emerging as
real-world solutions. We can implement
these with a low-cost fundus camera
along with the prediction of AI on site.
However, despite considerable progress
in the recent past for AI-based DR
screening, very few are used in real-life
situations. The main reason is that most
of these AI models are tested with sample
data but are not validated in live data.
Also, most of these AI-based systems are
trained on good-quality images but are
not trained to detect if the fundus image
is of good quality or not (Padhy et al.
2019).

30 Moreover, AI systems are trained to screen for the presence or absence of DR but not detect other
combinations such DR with retinal pathologies or other diseases in real-life scenarios. The primary
purpose of AI systems is to recommend whether to visit an eye care practitioner or not. To develop AI
models, AI researchers are concerned that they need to have many images with standard grading
protocols. Therefore, the AI models must get trained with a new set of images to validate the models
apart from images used for testing the model.

Bibliography
• Haider M. 2015. Getting Started with Data Science: Making Sense of Data with Analytics (IBM Press). IBM Press. 1st ed.
• McCue ME, McCoy AM. 2017. The scope of big data in one medicine: unprecedented opportunities and challenges. Front. Vet. Sci. 4:194
• Padhy SK, Takkar B, Chawla R, Kumar A. 2019. Artificial intelligence in diabetic retinopathy: A natural step to the future. Indian J. Ophthalmol.
67(7):1004–9
Image source: Dr. J. Ganesh Babu

LATEST

SCI BUZZ > INNOVATIONS INDUSTRY >

FLUORESCENCE PERFLUOROHEXYLOCTANE EYE DROP
LIFETIME IMAGING (NOVATEARS®, NOVALIQ, GERMANY) AS A
OPHTHALMOSCOPY TREATMENT FOR DRY EYE DISEASE – CLINICAL
(FLIO) : DETECTING
TRAIL
AGE-RELATED
D epartment of Clinical Pharmacology of the Medical University of Vienna did a
MACULAR
mechanistic clinical study to explore the effect of water-free perfluorohexyloctane eye
DEGENERATION drops on tear film thickness (TFT) in patients with dry eye disease (DED). Forty-eight
(AMD) patients with mild to moderate DED participated in this randomized, single-masked,
observer-blinded parallel group study in a 1:1 ratio to receive either perfluorohexyloctane

Imaging techniques based on retinal or unpreserved 0.9% saline solution (Hydrabak®, Thea, France) eye drops 4 times daily in
both eyes for 4 weeks. A custom-built ultrahigh-resolution optical coherence tomography
system was used to measure TFT. Furthermore, evaluation of lipid layer thickness (LLT) and
noninvasive tear film breakup time, as well as standard clinical tests for signs and
symptoms of DED were performed. Results demonstrated that perfluorohexyloctane eye
drops increase tear film thickness as well as lipid layer thickness over time. These tear film
reestablishing attributes are in line with the mode of action of perfluorohexyloctane eye
drops to avoid evaporation through stabilization of the lipid layer.
For more details on this study please visit clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03048526)

autofluorescence have found wide

range of applications in

ophthalmology because they are

extremely sensitive and noninvasive.

Traditional fundus autofluorescence

imaging measures intensity of retinal

fluorophores. Fluorescence lifetime

imaging ophthalmoscopy (FLIO) is an

emerging imaging modality for in vivo J&J VISION’S DRUG-RELEASING CONTACT 31
measurement of lifetimes of LENS APPROVED IN JAPAN AND CANADA.
endogenous retinal fluorophores. SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03
Recent reports in this field have A CUVUE Theravision with Ketotifen is claimed to be the first and only daily disposable
increased our understanding of the contact lens for vision correction in patients who experience itchy allergy eyes due to
pathophysiology of various macular allergic conjunctivitis. The contact lens has received its first regulatory approval from the
and retinal diseases. Autofluorescence Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in April 2021.It contains a H1 histamine
lifetime imaging ophthalmology is a receptor antagonist for the prevention of itchy allergy eyes related to allergic conjunctivitis
novel imaging technology which in contact lens users. The results demonstrated to prevent an itch lasted through 12 hours
provides additional insights into in clinical trials, and the contact lens can be worn for longer than 12 hours for vision
metabolic processes of the retina correction, as said by the company.

Read more about this new technique For more details visit: https://www.jjvision.com/press-release/johnson-johnson-vision-
here: receives-approval-worlds-first-and-only-drug-releasing
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/
articles/PMC7396320/

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03COLLISION-WARNING DEVICE FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED
PATIENTS

S hrinivas Pundlik, PhD, and Gang Luo, PhD. from the Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear
and the Department of Ophthalmology of Harvard Medical School, Boston developed a novel device designed to
reduce collisions. The device includes a video camera and a microcomputer enclosed in a slingback bag. When users
wear the bag, the camera is level with their chest. The investigators explained that the device records videos when it
sends the collision warning. Two independent reviewers evaluated and scored potential hazards detected by the
device, including direct contact with obstacles. The participants and reviewers did not know the mode in which the
device operated at any given time.
This study involving 31 visually impaired participants, results demonstrated that “the collision warnings were
associated with a reduced rate of contacts with obstacles during daily mobility, indicating the potential of the device
to augment habitual mobility aids.”
To know more on this innovation, visit: https://www.modernretina.com/view/researchers-develop-collision-
warning-device-for-visually-impaired-patients

RIGHTEYE LAUNCHES AUTOMATED, QUANTITATIVE
SENSORIMOTOR EXAM SYSTEM



32 R ightEye Sensorimotor, a new device that evaluates the oculomotor component of an ophthalmic exam and
can quickly identify ocular issues such as strabismus or oculomotor dysfunction. RightEye Sensorimotor was
designed to integrate seamlessly into an eye care provider’s pre-test and exam lanes. Screening time is about
30 seconds.
More information on https://righteye.com/

CLINICAL
PHOTOGRAPHS

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03 VINAY CHOUDHARY
Consultant Optometrist
Akshi Eye Hospital, Rajasthan

Phthriasis Palpebrarum

34

Posterior Capusular Opacification with Honeycomb Appearance

Dense Posterior Capsular Opacification in Retro Illumination

MOHAMMAD YUNUS
Intern

Neo Retina Eye Institute, Hyderabad

Allbipunctus Retinal dystrophy

35

RAJAVARDHAN M SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03
Consultant Optometrist
L V Prasad Eye Institute, Vijayawada

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03 Deposists on BCL for Keratoprosthesis

Corneal Tattoo

36
ANSARI AFFAN ASHFAQUE
Intern

L V Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad

TALENT HUNT

Theme: World Sight Day

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03 AKASH MANNA
2nd year Optometry Student

38

SAYEMA AFRIN
Intern

Sankara Eye Centre, Indore

APARNA PAULOSE AKRITI BAHUGUNA
B Optometry 1st Year B Optometry 3rd year
Abaya college of Optometry, Bangalore Uttaranchal PG College of Bio-Medical Sciences, Dehradun

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03 39

Better Vision, Our Responsibility

Nothing is as precious as your beautiful eyes,
for you to see those green lands and delightful skies.

Of all senses, vision is crucial.
Protect your sight to move from darkness to light.



Early detection and comprehensive examinations are what you need.

Get your eyes checked and save your sight indeed.
Consume healthy supplements to prevent visual dysfunction and haze,

enjoy the world with your vision for the rest of your days.



We optometrists are ready to fight,
with tools like corrective lenses and eye care procedures to fix your sight.

Day or night, we would perform our duty,
your vision is our responsibility.





YOSNA KHAREL
B.optom, 2nd yr
(Uttaranchal PG College of Bio-Medical Sciences,
Dehradun, Uttarakhand)

World sight day is not only for us to celebrate the vision,
but also for 'making the visually impaired see" as part of our mission.



Pledges and mottos are made ready for that one day,
but do we close our eyes to experience blindness for that one day?



Vision is a precious sense that should be protected,
it has to be given to all by eye care practitioners, united.



Globally, the number of people with avoidable blindness is in the billions,

proud that our mission is not separated by religions.



Prevention is better than cure,
our hard work and intentions to work towards this is pure.



Eyes that are covered by dark night,
are supposed to be welcomed by light.




GOUTHAM VELAVARAJAN
Optometrist

Centre for Brain Research, Bangalore



Word Search

Can you find eye-related words in the puzzle below?

Look for the words listed below.

WORD SCRAMBLE Answers:

Unscramble the words 1. Inflammation
2. Astigmatism
IFMAIANOTMLN 3.Depth Perception
4.Binocular Skills
TIASMAGITMS 5. Movement
6. Fusion
HPDET TEONICPERP 7. Orthoptics
CIOBURANL ILKLSS 8.Stereo Vision
9. Discrimination
MMEETONV 10.Blue Filter
SUNOIF 11. Conjunctivitis
12.Vision Therapy
PTTCOOSIHR
RTOSEE OIISVN
IIICMNSAORTDIN

BEUL TELFIR
CNNTVTIIIS CUOJ
OIVISN AHTRPEY

Answers for last edition's
crossword:

1.Vitreous chamber
2. Phoria
3. Eye
4.Intraocular pressure
5. Frame
6. Ambylopia
7.Retinal detachment
8. Spectacle
9.Axial length
10.Daily disposable CL

Blue eyed people share a common ancestor.
Blue eyes were a genetic mutation that

appeared between 6,000 and 10,000 years
ago near the Black Sea.

You’ll shed about 98 feet of
eyelashes in your lifetime. Human

lashes have a lifespan of about
five months.

Source: versanthealth.com

1. The quick brown fox
lazy dog, what is so
jumps over the
this famous special about
line?

2. What


is 3/7 chicken, 2/3
goat?
cat and 2/4







ANSWERS
1. The sentence
contains all the
alphabets from A to Z
2.Chicago

Meme corner

eme co
M
renr

SEPTEMBER 2021 | ISSUE 03Meme corner

46

Meme credits:

Rahul Negi
Goutham Velavarajan

Sankhajyoti

It's great to have someone support us all
the time like how our eyelids support

and keep contact lens in place.

Boy: Whenver I see you , I can't take
my eyes off you. I dont even seem to

blink.
Girl : Oh! This has nothing nothing to
do with me, you might have low blink

rate.

Things that are difficult and hard
initially will always give the best

outcomes, just like RGP's.

FUNtastics