A great leap forward for the Optometry Vietnam!

On September 16, 2021, Viet Nam Ministry of Health issued a circular defined competencies, roles and responsiblities of optometrist, effective from November 1st this year. After 3 years since the first batch of optometry student graduated, we have been officially recognized with the professional title with the name Optometry (class III), code V.08.11.30. In this document, scope of practices for optometry profession includes: 1. Monitoring, analyzing and diagnosing refractive errors and binocular vision, functional rehabilitation of visual impairments, common ocular diseases. 2. Follow-up, primary eye care. 3. Communication, counseling, health education for refractive diseases and eye health care in the community. 4. Training and scientific research. Behind the recognition of Viet Nam Ministry of Health is the tremendous advocating efforts from local and international partners: NGOs especially Brien Holden Foundation, Eye Care Foundation and Fred Hollow Foundation; medical universities, especially Hanoi Medical University and Pham Ngoc Thach Medical University; eye and general hospitals across the country; the Health Strategy and Policy Institute and the relentless efforts from the entire Vietnamese Optometrist team to showcase our competence. This circular have set a milestone for optometry in Vietnam, acknowledging our roles in serving the community. The optometry education development program was initiated by Brien Holden Foundation, Hanoi Medical University, University of Medicine Pham Ngoc Thach and other stakeholders and was supported by Australian Government through Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP)