Optometry in Ghana

In 2004, just as the first batch of optometrists with the bachelor's degrees had graduated, they were enrolled for the two-year Doctor of Optometry (O.D) program.

[citation needed] Over eighty percent of Ghanaian optometrists receive their training from the KNUST.

Professor Angela O. Amedo, one of the first optometrists in Ghana, is the Head of Department for Optometry at KNUST.

[2] The newly graduated optometrists are inducted into the Ghana Optometric Association so they can do their one-year internship at any of the Ministry of Health Hospitals or accredited eye clinics throughout the country.

After their internship, they are required to write their qualifying exam which upon passing will allow the optometrist to practice without supervision.

In 2010 the body and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology's Faculty of Distance Learning[4] rolled out a two-year programme to offer all members of GOA who did not have the Doctor of Optometry degree to enroll for it.

The aim of the programme is to ensure that by the end of 2012 all optometrists in Ghana will have the O.D degree as is required under the Ministry of Health.

Around 20% of people claiming to be optometrists in Ghana either do not have training in the field or "go beyond their scope of operation".