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Training of optometrists
Following is a question by Dr the Hon Law Cheung-kwok and a written reply by the Secretary for Health and Welfare, Mrs Katherine Fok, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
Under the Optometrists (Registration and Disciplinary Procedure) Regulation, any person practising optometry without a recognised professional qualification is required to pass an examination before he is granted a practising certificate. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
Reply:
(a)
(b)
of the number of such examinations held since the implementation of the above Regulation, as well as the number of candidates taking part and the passing rate in each examination; and
whether, in view of the unsatisfactory results in the examination held in May this year, the Government will adopt any measures to strengthen the professional training provided for those practising optometry without a recognised professional qualification?
(a)
The registration of optometrists under the Optometrists (Registration and Disciplinary Procedure) Regulation commenced in December 1994. Two rounds of examination for provisional registration were conducted in the periods February to April and August to October 1996. Each round of the examination consists of two parts: basic refraction and basic contact lens fitting. Candidates can sit for either one part or both parts of the examination.
The results of the two rounds of examination are as follows:
No of
Candidates
No of Candidates
Examination
Attended (a)
Passed (b)
Passing Rate % (b/a)
First Round
Basic Refraction
647
85
13.14%
Basic Contact Lens
516
4
0.78%
Fitting
Second Round
Basic Refraction
509
95
18.66%
Basic Contact Lens
145
1
0.69%
Fit:ing