• 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.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.