Development Of Optometry In El Salvador

Title: Development of Optometry in El Salvador Lead Author: Natalia Colomé de Man, OD Staff member of a private optometry center in Barcelona, actual member of Öptics pel Mon (OxO), organizesorthokeratology courses between Spain and Latin America, former director of the school of optometry at Universidad de El Salvador, former coordinator of visual health international cooperation at ElSalvador, participated as a speaker at hearings for creating the law of Otometry in El Salvador Legislative Assembly (Congress). Introduction/Purpose: To create a method for the development of Optometryworldwide, by integrating optometry education, accreditation through public health policy and international cooperation. The cornerstone for developing Optometry in a country are: Education: To implementan Optometry program at higher public education institutions. Accreditation: To establish guidelines for the practice and opening optometric establishments under the existing Public Health Law byorganizing the optometry guild and passing the necessary amendments. International Cooperation: To lead, follow and fund these efforts through the various resources of developed countries and institutions(International cooperation for development policies, universities, optometry councils, NGO´s) Methods: Education and International Cooperation. Researching the legal guidelines for the development ofoptometry: higher studies and Public Health Laws (DECRETO Nº 2699 21/10/79) Implementing an optometry program at the public university of El Salvador, approved by the Ministry of education by theirown means, joined with funding and consulting of Spanish institutions: UPC; UV, Cátedra UNESCO SVD, OxO, AECID. Others: Lions club, VOSH, ALDOO, WCO. Accreditation inclusion of optometry practice as apublic health career ruled by the public health law. Presenting a proposal ruling the practice of optometry to the El Salvador Legislative Assembly (Congress) working hearings, reaching an agreement...