Continuing Education

Starting in November 2020, IVI began monthly awareness talks. IVI invites personnel from top level management of distinct sectors to talk about their experience, insights, and challenges and how they master the skills etc.

Conversations with heads of organisations from across the eye health sector – hospital-based practice, retail, corporates and academic institutions resulted in identifying the gaps in human resources and the need for upskilling students and practitioners with the required skill sets. Soft skills are often overlooked and to help bridge the gap, IVI with support from Optometry Giving Sight initiated a three-month online program. Suresh Kunnath and Pamela Suresh from Inlife Foundation developed modules on:

Personality–Types and Need, Conditioning & Change, Perception, Rationality, Learning & Knowledge, Attitude, Empathy, Emotional Intelligence, Assimilation, Persistence, Motivation, Time Management, Goal Achieving Personality, Leadership, Interpersonal Behaviour, Projecting an Image: Character & Values, preparing for an Interview – CV & Facing an Interview, and Providing quality services.

IVI short-term Summer Internship Program, initiated in 2014, offers an opportunity for Optometry students to gain first-hand experience of working on IVI projects promoting Optometry in India, including assisting in program planning and implementation, preparing activity reports and other documentation, and research. The program is designed to help undergraduate students explore an environment beyond their class and clinic.

Online career counselling sessions are held every year during May-July to mentor final year undergraduate and postgraduate Optometry students on prospective career choices. The counselling sessions help students across India get a better understanding of the best career choices that suit their individual interests, skills and abilities.

A two-day complete paediatric program for optometry students. The session includes a pool of professionals from the sector and the lectures focus on visual function evaluation methods, prescribing refractive error correction in children, paediatric dispensing, and case-based learning examples of common paediatric ocular conditions

Every month we host a talk by an expert to share their research work. This would be beneficial and motivational for young optometry and vision science researchers & students.

IVI’s panel discussions provide continuing education for Optometry students and practitioners.

EyeTeach is designed for optometry educators and practitioners who are keen on advancing their teaching skills and understanding the pivotal role of problem-based learning in student engagement and professional preparation. The program will comprise four, two-day intensive workshops to equip participants with practical insights and strategies to effectively engage students, foster critical thinking, and facilitate research dissemination in teaching.

IVI in collaboration with Essilor India Pvt Ltd conducted a 10-week virtual program for Optometry Professionals keen to set up their own practice and effectively manage it. The phase 1 of the program started in April 2024 and concluded by July 2024. The online program consisted of eight modules (1 hour per module). The program covered elements of practice management, including operations, finances, human resources, technology, risk management, and marketing. Topics included Client Experience Enhancement, Practice Growth and Expansion, and much more.

Decoding Myopia: Insights on Myopia Management & Control series that provided comprehensive education and updates to primary eye care professionals on effective strategies for myopia control. The aim was to not only impart knowledge but also to inspire and encourage professionals to actively integrate these strategies into their clinical practice, fostering a proactive approach to managing and mitigating myopia in their patients.

A three lecture series by Dr Neeta Kapoor on ‘An Optometrist Guide to Neuro – Optometric Rehabilitation’ - on 8, 19 and 30 August 2024. The series was on Neuro– Optometry, Traumatic Brain Injury, Rehabilitation, strokes and concussion, Visual – Vestibular components, assessment tools and emerging technologies and research, case studies and clinical applications, and others.

IVI, in collaboration with IOA, is hosting the Optometry Entrepreneur Summit on September 27-28, 2024. The event, the first of its kind in India, is dedicated to optometry businesses. The summit aims to blend eye care with business innovation, providing a platform for practitioners, optometry students, and entrepreneurs to explore the intersection of entrepreneurship and vision care. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about starting and expanding optometry practices, leveraging technology to enhance business operations, and navigating the unique challenges of the healthcare industry. The summit offers the opportunity to gain insights from experts, connect with peers, and discover new ways to make a meaningful impact on eye health through entrepreneurial ventures.