Department of Optometry and Biology of Visual System

Department of Optometry and Biology of Visual System Poznan University of Medical Sciences Poland Modification of Postgraduate 2 year Optometry Programme at Poznan University of Medical Sciences (Poland) as the result of international educational cooperation Bogdan Miskowiak

Poland in Europe

Poland area: 312679 km 2 Capital: Warsaw Population: 38 mln Currency: PLN 1 Euro = 4, 02 PLN

Famous Poles

Poland in Europe

Optometric schools in Poland At the present time there are two tracts by which one can become an optometrist in Poland: the university based degree in biophysics with specialization in optometry a postgraduate 2 -year program in optometry after graduation any university faculty.

Optometric schools in Poland Poznan University of Medical Sciences Postgraduate Optometry Program (4 semesters) since 1995 year Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan Faculty of Phisics (cooperation with Poznan University of Medical Sciences) – Dispensing optics bachelor’s degree (6 semesters) - since 1998 year Optometry – master degree (4 semesters) since 2001 year Faculty of Phisics University of Warsaw Dispensing optics bachelor’s degree (6 semesters) - since 2009 year Wroclaw University of Technology Dispensing optics - ingeneering degree (8 semesters) - since 60 - ties Optometry – master degree (3 semesters) - since 2008 Postgraduate optometry program (4 semesters) - since 2004

Optometry in Poland 1983. 01 – Creation the Chair of Optometry in Biophysics Department of University of Medical Sciences on the initiative of professor Boleslaw Kedzia.

Optometry in Poland The main goals of the Department were: Ø preparation and accomplishment academic level education programme for optometrists Ø introducing of the optometrist profession to the system of public health Ø the legal protection of the profession in Poland 2010 1990

Participation of our Department in international conferences organized by WCO

Polish Optometric Journals published in Poznan On the initiative of Professor Boleslaw Kedzia After 2 -3 years these journals were cancelled for the financial reasons (an insufficient number of subscribes and little financial resources from sponsors)

Optometry in Poznan University of Medical Sciences In 1989 the group concerning on creation Postgraduate Optometry Study Programme was formed at our University The program was created after review of the European and American optometric education systems. 1995 first edition of Postgraduate Optometry Study in Poznan University of Medical Sciences was started.

Current Postgraduate Optometry Programme Ø To enter a four – semester study of Postgraduate Optometry Programme the entrance examination is required. Candidates are required to pass a written multiple choice questions examination (human biology and optics at the secondary school level) Øover 600 hours of lectures and laboratories Ø 7 editions so far, over 100 graduates Ø Mod 1. Bio- medical Courses (75 h)- anatomy, histology, physiology, biochemistry, general pathology and basis of pharmacology Ø Mod 2. Optics courses (110 h)- nature of light, environmental vision, geometrical and physical optics, and physiological optics

Current Postgraduate Optometry Programme ØMod 3. Biology of Visual System (70 h) - ocular anatomy, histology, physiology, microbiology and diagnostic, biochemistry of eye Ø Mod 4. Visual Perception (25 h)- physiological visual perception, electrophysiology and anomalies of vision perception Ø Mod 5. Binocular Vision (40 h)- normal binocular responses, anomalies of binocular vision

Current Postgraduate Optometry Programme Ø Mod 6. Ocular pathology (45 h) – diagnostic technics ophthalmoscopy, biomicroscopy, tonometry, diagnosis of pathology of the eye Ø Mod 7. Dispensing Optics (35 h) - practical optics about lenses and frames, quality assurance, new technologies and materials Ø Mod 8. Optometric Examination Procedures (60 h) - didactic and practice of patient interactions and optometric testing, refractions

Current Postgraduate Optometry Programme Ø Mod 9. Contact Lenses (35 h) - corneal physiology, lens design, fitting, care and follow-up ØMod 10. Medical ethics and ethics of optometry profession, marketing basis- (20 h) ØMod. 11. Clinical care practiced in the laboratory room, at screenings and in independent study- (120 h) Final research work and final exam

Postgraduate Optometry Programe Selected Final Research Works Topics Visual screening of school children in primary schools and school for mental retardation children Case analysis of choosen optometric patients Ethics in optometry Psyhological problems of optometric patients Graphical analysis in optometric practice Correction of astigmatism with soft contact lenses Comparison utility of Humphrisse and Turville methods of balance accomodation measurement

Current Postgraduate Optometry Programme During our programme of postgraduate studies our graduates receive the base of knowledge and professional optometric skills. Their knowledge must be extended and complemented further in the professional courses. Organization of optometric continuing education is one of the basic roles of Polish Association of Optometry and Optics and also our Universities.

Optometry in Poland XXV Anniversary of Departament of Optometry and Biology of Visual System creation and XV Anniversary of Postgraduate Optometry Programme at Poznan University of Medical Sciences March 2010 – International Conference in Poznan: „Optometry development in Poland - the importance of Higher Education”

Postgraduate Optometry Programme Benefits Over 100 optometrists in Poland 1994 year Polish Association of Optometry and Optics (PTOi. O) – presidents were graduates of our Postgraduate Optometry Program Organizing international optometric conferences and workshops Intensive work at optometry law regulations in Poland Ø the profession of Optometry is recognized by Polish Government Ø the practical scope of Optometry profession is still under legislation process

Modification Postgraduate Optometry Programe in Poland with cooperation with American Optometrists Development of clinical optometry education Focus on increasing eye problems – AMD, glaucoma, eye changes in civilization diseases (diabetes, hypertension) Introducing to optometry education pediatric optometry and visual training – in progress

Modification of Postgraduate 2 year Optometry Programme Curricular changes of Optometry Postgraduate Programme result from: Necessity of improving Public Health Service (WHO & WCO Standards, Prophylaxis Programme – „Vision 2020 The Right to Sight”) Students expectations Necessity of improving practical optometric skills and increasing number of well develope optometric clinics

Cooperation with American optometrists during creation Postgraduate Optometry Programe in Poland Prof. J. Lowther O. D. Ph. D. FAAO Indiana University Prof. J. Jurkes O. D. MBA Illinois College of Optometry Prof. W. C. Maples O. D. M. S Northeastern State University Oklahoma College of Optometry, Southern College of Optometry in Memphis

Modification Postgraduate Optometry Programe in Poland with cooperation with American Optometrists Prof. W. C. Maples O. D. M. S. Prof. T. Wingert O. D. University of Missouri St. Louis College of Optometry Prof. J. Pizzimenti O. D. FAAO Nova Southeastern College of Optometry

Modification Postgraduate Optometry Programe in Poland with cooperation with American Optometrists Dr Timothy Wingert a professor at the University of Missouri – St. Louis College of Optometry was named a Fulbright Scholar – as first optometrist in the U. S. During winter semester 2006 taugh optometry in our clinical programme. Dr Joseph Pizzimenti a professor at Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry as a Senior Fellow of WCO was teaching Clinical Optometry in our Programme during the summer semester 2007. Dr W. C. Maples a professor of Optometry in Oklahoma College of Optometry and now in Southern College of Optometry in Memphis for 20 years helped us in implementing programme and last in clinical optometry and VT. I would like to thank for help to Dr. Gerard Lowther, dean of the College of Optometry in Bloomington, and Dr. Janice Jurkus from Illinois College of Optometry for the impolementation of training programme for contact lenses

World Council of Optometry Workshop in Poznan March 30 – April 8, 2004 Optometric Education Model in Poland: „(…) The Polish optometric education program and efforts to establish Optometry as a recognized health profession may serve as a model for other countries wishing to establish Optometry as a separate profession. (…)” Janice Jurkus, OD, MBA and Janice Scharre, OD, MA World Council of Optometry Fellows March 30 -April 8, 2004

Optimal condition for optometry development Education Legislation

n o i t a c u d E Le gis lat ion Danger for patients !

n o i t a c u Ed Le gi sl at io n Optometrists frustration!

Optometrist competence in Poland Optometrist in Poland can provide: primary eye care refraction procedures prescribe and apply lenses, contact lenses and optic equipement for low vision patients visual screening tests visual training

Witelo – Pater Optometriae Born in Poland (1235 -1290) identified his parents as a Thuringian and a Pole. He considered Poland his homeland died in Wrocław. His survinving opus of great fame and several editions was PERSPECTIVAM vocant, LIBRI X, appearing in 1273 (published in print three times Norimbergae 1543 and 1551, Basileae 1572). PERSPECTIVAE served as the major scientific reference basic to the understanding of vision until well into the 17 th century.

Witelo – Pater Optometriae Honour Medal awarded by University of Medical Sciences in Poznan in recognition of a generous help for the Optometry development in Poland

Department of Optometry and Biology of Visual System – Faculty and Staff Chairman: • Prof. Bogdan Miśkowiak M. D, Ph. D Assistant Professors • Katarzyna Perz M. D. , optometrist, Ph. D • Danuta Pieczyrak M. S. , optometrist, Ph. D Assistants: • Natalia Adamczak M. S. , optometrist • Monika Feltzke M. S. , optometrist Technicall assistants: • Hanna Buczkowska M. S. , optometrist • Andrzej Michalski M. S. , M. D. , ophthalmologist • Karolina Łażewska M. S. , optometrist • Joanna Kowalak B. S.

Katedra Optometrii i Biologii Układu Wzrokowego Uniwersytetu Medycznego im. Karola Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu Rozwój optometrii w Polsce – rola szkół wyższych Poznań, 12 -13 marca 2010 Thank you for your attention