The Economics of Eye Care
The Eye Care Workforce
How India's shortage of ophthalmologists in rural areas is eased by optometrists and trained ophthalmic assistants, a form of task-shifting.
India needs more eye care workers.
Ophthalmologists
Eye surgeons are concentrated in cities.
Optometrists
Optometrists test vision and prescribe glasses.
Assistants
Ophthalmic assistants, often young women from villages, are trained by hospitals like Aravind.
Task-shifting
Letting trained assistants do routine tasks frees surgeons for surgery.
Vision centres
Primary vision centres staffed by technicians link to hospitals by telemedicine.
Economics
Task-shifting raises productivity and access.
A technician in a village vision centre tests eyes and consults a doctor by video.
Trained assistants and optometrists help.
- Eye surgeons are concentrated in cities.
- Optometrists and assistants help.
- Task-shifting raises productivity.
- Vision centres use telemedicine.
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