• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.241-249
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• 2004

Since 1989 the number of nationally licensed ophthalmic and refracting opticians in Korea have increased. Currently, they are being educated in four universities, twenty six colleges and three graduate programs. It is innevitable that the growth of optometric education in Korea will be progressively influnced by worldwide influnces such as the World Council of Optometry(WCO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Trade Organization(WTO). However, currently no standards for optometric education exist in Korea. Thus, the Korean Professional Councils of Ophthalmic Optics(KPCOO) must develope and provide standards for optometric education programs.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.73-84
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• 2003

This paper reviews the current status of ophthalmic education and legislation worldwide. The impact of the profession of optometry in providing eye and vision care in different regions of the world and strategic directions for optometry in Korea are discussed. The role of the World Council of Optometry in advancing the access and delivery of eye and Vision care is emphasized.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.87-95
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• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study is to reveal necessity of orthoptist system in Korea, by comparative analysis between the orthoptist system of developed countries and the present condition in Korean ophthalmic clinics. Methods: Choosing 4 developed countries, we surveyed their education systems, license requirements and process, and service coverage. An inquiry into desirable Korean orthoptist system was added on the basis of the comparative survey. Results: The developed countries have systems in which professional orthoptists, who have got their licenses after official education, do the eye examination under the supervision of ophthalmologists. On the other hand in Korea, a problem is revealed that opticians play a role of eye-examiner in the ophthalmic clinics without any institutional support. Conclusions: The legalistic basis is quite needed in Korea that permit optometry graduates to be eye-examiners in the ophthalmic clinics, by introducing the orthoptist system.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.285-292
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• 2022

The education and training system, the ISCO (International Standard Classification of Occupations), and the legal systems of Japan and the United States consider all ophthalmic optometry laboratory personnel as ophthalmologists. They encompass optometrists, orthoptists, optometric technicians, and ophthalmic medical technicians. Data retrieved from the KOSIS (Korean Statistical Information Service) revealed that the number of opticians associated with the department of ophthalmology in 2022 could be appraised by classifying their medical institutions; contrarily, the number of clinical laboratory technologists could not be assessed. However, the current research investigated a general tertiary hospital and determined that clinical laboratory technologists outnumber opticians. Classification in Korea is based on ophthalmic optometry laboratory personnel, ISCO, ISCED (International Standard Classification of Education), the medical service act, the act on medical service technologists, and the higher education act. These results cannot be compared to the optometrists evaluated in the United States. Ophthalmology is a suitable profession for optometric technologists and technicians who perform under the instructions of ophthalmologists and optometrists. The field of eye healthcare would be benefitted by assigning the management based on their qualification according to the requirement of the job title, such as 'Clinical Optometry Technologist' to be given to clinical laboratory technologists and opticians who work in the ophthalmic optometry laboratories after obtaining a private qualification endowed by the Korean Ophthalmological Society and the Korean Optometry Society.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.217-223
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to provide improvements and standards of trial lens, in a situation that there is a lack of standards of trial lens set that have been used for self-conscious refraction test after helm refraction test at about 5,000 opticians, ophthalmologic clinics and hospitals, and contact-lens shops, that there is a lot of discrepancies between refraction specified and the actual power, and that there is no regulation of optical tolerance error. For the study, opticians who have used Trial lens set were asked to participate in a questionnaire survey through continuing education, and divided into those who have used domestic lens and those who have used imported lens, 5 opticians each for less than 5 years, 5 to 10 years, more than 10 years. The measurement of both refraction specified and the actual diopter was compared to Japan Industrial Standards(JIS T4402). As a result of comparative analysis, more than 80% of respondents have had reliability on the refraction of trial lens they had used, indicating that they have never measured the refraction specified and the actual diopter after buying them. Besides, Korean Industrial Standards(KS P4402) has been imperfect in diopter range since it was legislated in 1979. More than 95% of respondents have been unsatisfied with optometry. Also, it has indicated that refraction error is more frequent in long-term-used trial lens. The conclusion is that it is necessary to standardize trial lens set and that it is required to add lens to lens set provided under KS P4402. Moreover, it is necessary to have supervisory agency for a standardization of trial lens. I hope that both domestic lens and imported lens, as in German and Japan, will be tested to find whether they meet optical tolerance error and standard trial lens will be distributed. Good optic inspection is required for the improvement and management of eye health and optical function, and the same standard trial lens set should be used. whoever is tested. Also, I hope that trial lens set will be specified within standards and tolerance error.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.527-536
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• 2015

Purpose: In this paper, we have dealt with problems and improvement of korean optician system. Methods: Using the relevant material of korean optician system and international optometrist system, provides the theoretical basis of the need for regulatory changes optician. Results: The people with refractive errors are increasing, 67% of refractive error test is made from optical shop and korean optician are sufficient trained, many opticians are in charge of the refractive error test at the ophthalmic hospital. We have confirmed that current law does not reflect adequately the nature of optician's work. Conclusions: Since current capacity of the Korean opticians and education system ready to provide health services for people, therefore an korean optician must redefine the law to fit the reality.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.65-70
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• 2007

This research aims at knowing educational objectives and understanding the whole departmental processes of two-year education programs of junior colleges in the field of ophthalmic optics. Our analyses can be categorized by on liberal art courses, compulsory subjects and optional subjects. The educational purpose of all the seven colleges was training the professional worker, meets well the educational requirements of two year college. All seven colleges' curriculum is open to the national licence examination subjects, but more academic credits are demended in eye examination of refraction, test of ocular function, professional sense of cultural subjects field, leadership in organization and course of marketing related subjects, and stronger relation with clinical examination are also required.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.7-17
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• 2007

There has been an increase in rigid gas permeable contact lens prescription by the optometrists in Korea since 1995. Therefore, the aim of our study was to find out which equipment is needed for adequate RGP contact lens prescription and the level of the clinical knowledge that they have and the level of education for the patient, to seize about the extended lens education programmes for the Korean optometrist. Also, we tried to figure out the problem that they had in the RGP contact lens prescription, to develope the educational programs for students and to improve legal uncertainties, through this research. The result came out with the following through questionnaires of 400 male and female opticians who is in clinical field. The distributions of respondents are 270 male (67.5%), 130 female (32.5%), and 356 optometry major (89%). We found out the optometry-majored people had faster clinical lens prescriptions (p=0.000), 72.5% of opticians prescribe the RGP-Lenses, and 27.5% do not because of laking in experience (P=0.000). They responded that they need slit-lamp, button lamp, fluorescein dry paper, and etc,for prescription or fitting test. In regular-check-up (Follow-up), the result came out very low by 83% of respondents who are not getting it regularly. And 83.5% (334 people) of them wanted to have those Extended Educational Programs and also the Clinical Education Programs.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1-8
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• 2008

Purpose: We investigated opticians' and the public (including optometry students) opinions about university/college affiliated optical shops. Methods: Opinions about the university/college affiliated optical shops, their positive or negative effects, services range, how to obtain their operation cost, and so on were asked to 50 opticians and 51 public people (including optometry students) by a questionnaire survey, being statistically analysed. Results: Most respondents answered positive opinions about the university/college affiliated optical shops, anticipating better eye test ability of Koean optometry graduates through improved clinical education. Conclusions: The university/college affiliated optical shops are expected to contribute to clinical education and research in Korea. Legal revisions and efforts of each university/college are required.

• Journal of forensic and investigative science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.30-49
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• 2007

An autopsy is a postmortem assessment or examination of a body to determine cause of death or manner of death. The author had surveyed Personnel's perception toward conducting an autopsy in general hospital with autopsy at YeungNam University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea from April, to May, 2007. The total number of 286 personnel consisted of 121 men(42.3%), 165 women(57.7%). There were 57 doctors(19.9%), 71 nurses(24.8%), 83 medical technicians (29.0%), 58 office workers(20.3%), and 17 others(5.9%). 61.4% of doctors had an experience of education for autopsy more than 2 times, but nurses(1.4%), medical technicians(15.7%), office workers(1.7%), and others(5.9%) had little experience. Response of conducting an autopsy for sudden death of respondent or respondent's family member was 59.6% of doctors, 22.5% of nurses, 39.8% of medical technicians, 41.4% of office workers, and 35.3% of others. Response of conducting an autopsy for sudden death of respondent's companion was 66.7% of doctors, 33.8% of nurses, 39.8% of medical technicians, 43.1% of office workers, and 17.6% of others. Response of conducting an autopsy for sudden death of patients in general hospital was 50.9% of doctors, 8.5% of nurses, 19.3% of medical technicians, 24.1% of office workers, and 17.6% of others. Survey about a proper institution for autopsy showed 73.7% of doctors for department of forensic medicine in medical school, and 62.0% of nurses, 59.0% of medical technicians, 46.6% of office workers, and 58.8% of others for National Institute of Scientific Investigation. Most of the respondents agreed with the forensic pathologist as the director of autopsy:98.2% of doctors, 94.4% of nurses, 96.4% of medical technicians, 89.7% of office workers, and 88.2% of others. Survey for necessity for autopsy showed responsiveness of doctors, 23.9% of nurses, 47.0% of medical technicians, 34.5% of office workers, and 23.5% of others. Survey for donation of him- or herself after death to the medical school or institution for the death investigation revealed responsiveness of 22.8% of doctors, 11.3% of nurses, 24.1% of medical technicians, 22.4% of office workers, and 23.5% of others. The result of the survey questionnaire showed more negative awareness for autopsy in nurses, medical technicians, office workers, others and than doctors. To improve the negative awareness for autopsy and settle proper postmortem inspection system, education of professional manpower for forensic medicine and inaction of law which is adequate for the actual circumstance of Korea should be considered.