Alan Cheung Ka-wing, an optometrist with part-one qualification at a local practice in Kowloon, is working to fulfil his dream of opening his own clinic.
I qualified 10 years ago as a part-one optometrist, graduating from Polytechnic University. I now work for a local doctor in private practice in Kowloon.
The university course I took lasted four years. In the first year, I did basic training such as ocular and head anatomy, vision physiology and optics. In the second and third years, I did more practical subjects such as ocular pharmacology, ocular pathology, clinical optometry, contact lens studies, ophthalmic lenses and dispensing.
During my studies I had the opportunity to practise as a student optometrist at the university's optometry clinic, seeing real patients. Once I graduated I was qualified to register as a part-one optometrist.
My work makes me very happy because every day I see people and can help them. People regularly come into our clinic complaining about blurred vision and it is down to me to find the reason, of which there can be many. Some people have eye diseases, others might have the wrong glasses, or need glasses. I work with our doctor and help determine what they need.
Usually I start with a basic eye check to find out how clearly a person can see. Then I check the eye to find the correct refraction for glasses they may need. I then make up a prescription for the most suitable eyewear for that patient.