The Botswana Optometrist Association is proud to organize this webinar featuring Dr. Jayarajini S. the esteemed Principal of the Chaithanya Institute of Optometry & Vision Sciences in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Boasting a dynamic career that spans over 25 years, she has seamlessly blended her roles as a clinician, academician, and researcher. Dr. Jayarajini’s illustrious journey encompasses significant tenures at institutions of repute like Sankara Nethralaya, Sri Ramachandra University, and Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital. Her international contributions are marked by her roles at the University of Buraimi in Oman and Chandigarh University. As a dedicated educator, she has donned leadership hats, including that of Vice-Principal and Global Head of Optometry Education. Her unwavering dedication, innovative approach, and commendable work ethic are evident in her vast professional journey. Renowned for her exemplary teaching prowess, adept communication, and interpersonal skills, Dr. Jayarajini is a beacon in the optometric community.

Please see the webinar below

Please see below the names of the respective Optoms that will partaking in this Event

Norvatis Screening Report

Four Sessions were carried on the dates below;

• 16 August 2022
• 23 August 2022
• 6 September 2022
• 7 September 2022

A huge thank you to all the participants.

Below is the flyer and snaps taken during the session

Please see details below

Please see rules below

Please see Form Below.

Furthermore, contact lenses, just like any medical devices, ore approved by Botswana
Medicine Regulatory Authority (BoMRA), and therefore, their use should be preceded by a
comprehensive eye examination that begins with contact lens case history, evaluation of
functional vision and refractive status.

Please see attached Press Release

Human genome mapping and the knowledge of genomics has entered the clinical arena in medical practice. Lack of knowledge in the discipline would harm our patients and their family and several studies have emphasized this in all the fields of medicine, including Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Sciences. Hence, the need for the knowledge in Optometry practice, which is undergoing revolutionary changes due the advancement is many sectors including Optometry and Vision Sciences.

Program Objectives

• To impart the knowledge and skills of medical genetics, genomics and genetic counselling to Optometrists.
• The above knowledge should be useful for the optometrist during clinical practice and further studies.

Program Details

Instructor Details

Prof. G. Kumaramanickavel MD
Managing Director, MYGENEDx Pvt. Ltd., India.

• Prof. Kumar trained in India, United States of America and New Zealand works on ocular genomics, genetic counselling and epidemiology.
• Has published 125 peer reviewed papers and has counselled over 12,000 genetic disorder patients.
• Director of Research : Narayana Nethralaya, Bangalore, India.
• Visiting Associate: Ophthalmic Genetics & Clinical Services Branch, National Eye Institute, NIH, USA.
• Formerly: Deputy Director of Research, Professor of Genetics & Molecular Biology,
• Executive Officer (Medical), Sankara Nethralaya, India.

Course Details

I was motivated towards bringing value to children with Intellectual Disability and subsequently trained and qualified as a “Clinical Director (Opening Eyes) for the Special Olympics. As the Clinical Director, I was invited to the Summer Games 2007 in China and participated in screening more than 7000 athletes. Thereafter, I continued to coordinate many eye-screening campaigns in Botswana engaging local Optometrist and Ophthalmic Nurses collectively screening over 2000 athletes.

To expand my reach and deliver my experience to a larger community, I became a member of the LIONS Club International in 2010. My prime responsibility was to coordinate more eye-screening campaigns and dispense spectacles to individuals with refractive errors.

I am very proud to be part of the group of Optometrists that founded Botswana Optometrists Association under the leadership of Optom. Sushil Kumar. I was given the responsibility to draft the Constitution which BoA adopted. Furthermore, I was able to leverage all my experience in delivery Community Eye Care services and elected as the “Chairperson of the Community Service Committee”.

As an avid Motorcycle riding enthusiast, I was pleasantly surprised how my fellow riders contributed to many charities. This inspired me to initiate a donation drive of spectacles to Secondary Schools around Botswana. I would visit a school with a few Optometrists and refract all pupils. We would then send a list of all who need spectacles to Motorcycle Club to buy the spectacles. The programme has been running for more four years now, seeing more than 500 students benefiting through this program.

The National Eye Health Coordinator at the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW), Ms. Alice Lehasa revealed on Thursday that the public health sector grapples with acute shortage of Ophthalmologists and Optometrists respectively. Speaking at the commemoration of World Sight Day at Mochudi on Thursday, Ms. Lehasa said local private health sector has been faring well in terms of the eye health specialists compared to public one. She noted that government however is keen to ensure that it has sufficient number of experts

“However, we have realized an improvement with 4 to 5 of Batswana enrolling to train abroad in these areas. Most of ophthalmologists that practices in Botswana come from abroad and they are also more into private sector. It is very pleasing that our locals are now showing interest on to study in this field to be specialists in eye and vision care. Eye health is very critical,” said Ms. Lehasa.

She went on to say that government will open an intensified recruitment of optometrists to its fold. Furthermore, Lehasa said the ministry will embark on a recruitment of the optometrist to its fold.

Optometrists are healthcare professionals who provide primary vision care ranging from sight testing and correction to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of vision changes as well. On the other hand, an ophthalmologist is a medical or osteopathic doctor who specializes in eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists differ from optometrists and opticians in their levels of training and in what they can diagnose and treat the emerging eye health condition at early stages. Globally, research shows that at least 1 billion people have near or distance vision impairment that could be prevented or has yet to be addressed but shortage of experts hinders the progress.

Private Sector

In an interview on the side-lines of the commemoration, a private sector practicing optometrist Thanuja Panicker said the shortage of key eye health specialist in government is very higher. Panicker of “Eyelight Optomerist” Botswana and the Vice Chairperson (Acting Chairperson) of Botswana Optometrist Association there has been supporting government with free eye health expertise to bridge existing gap. She said that 80% of blindness can be cured when it is given urgent attention, adding that it is very important for the government to forge partnerships with private sector to exchange notes.

“Vision impairment affects people of all ages, with the majority being over the age of 50. unattended cataract and uncorrected refractive error are the leading causes of vision impairment. Other causes such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, infectious diseases of the eye, and trauma, however, cannot be ignored and need to be addressed.

“Vision impairment affects people of all ages, with the majority being over the age of 50. An unattended cataract and uncorrected refractive error are the leading causes of vision impairment. Other causes such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, infectious diseases of the eye, and trauma, however, cannot be ignored and need to be addressed. We are open as the private sector optometrists to work hand in hand with government to address the visual impairment,” she said. She has said private optometrists from Botswana Optometrists Association reaches out to assist through the community eye testing or screening initiatives so as to supports the health ministry.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Kgatleng District Council (KDC) Daniel Molokwe pleaded with health ministry to resuscitate the old Deborah Retief Memorial eye health clinic to speed up services. Molokwe said the hospital boast of relevant eye health equipment which has been not utilized. As a result, he said Kgatleng people end up being forced to travel to seek eye health services at Scottish Livingstone Hospital in Molepolole, insisting that sometimes it becomes a lengthy process. Molokwe has said the council has resolved to engage MoHW on reviving the old eye health clinic at the Deborah Retief Memorial Hospital hoping that their request is expedited promptly.

Are you at risk?

You are at an increased risk of cataracts if you:

• Are older than 45
• Have a family history of cataracts
• Are a smoker
• Are a heavy user of alcohol
• Are exposed to air pollution

What are the symptoms of cataracts?

Cataracts often form slowly and cause few symptoms. When symptoms are present, they can include:

• Cloudy, blurry, foggy or filmy vision
• Rapid advance of nearsightedness
• Changes in the way you see colour
• Problems driving at night
• Problems with glare
• Double vision
• Rapid temporary improvement in close-up vision

There is no proven way of preventing cataracts. They are common in older adults so if you fit into this age group you should get your eyes examined regularly.

Your eye works like a camera. The front of your eye, the cornea, iris, pupil, and lens focus the image onto your retina, which lines the inside of your eye. The retina is sensitive to light and acts like the film in a camera, capturing images and then sending them via the optic nerve to your brain where the images are interpreted.

Seeing the images clearly

There are two factors at work in seeing clearly.  The first is proper focus.  Just like a camera your eye needs to be focussed properly to send clear images to your brain.  The second is healthy eye tissue.  Any damage or disease to the cells within your eye has the potential to remove your ability to see fully – sometimes damage can be permanent.

Early detection prevents serious eye damage

If you have any problems with your eyes or with seeing clearly then you need to see an optometrist.

Any change in vision should be checked,  It may be normal, or it could be the result of a more serious condition. Changes in vision could be related to vascular, neurological, or other medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes.

Eye exams and vision screening

Vision screening (or sight testing) will only tell you if you would benefit from glasses. Vision Screening will not tell if your eyes are healthy. Not being able to see well is the most common sign of eye problems including eye disease that can cause blindness. This is why it is always necessary for an optometrist to examine your eyes thoroughly to make a diagnosis before prescribing treatment.

A comprehensive eye exam will measure any refractive error that you have and will also investigate for signs of eye diseases that have the potential to make you blind.

You can tell you are having a comprehensive eye exam if it includes assessment of:

• Medical history
• Slit-lamp examination
• Glaucoma
• Retinoscopy
• External eye
• Internal eye
• Visual fields
• Subjective refraction
• Eye muscles
• Colour perception
• Peripheral fundus
• Macular health

It takes a while so you should expect to be in the chair for at least 30 minutes and maybe more. For more people that news will be that they have great eye health. Only around 60% of people examined will need to be prescribed glasses or contact lenses for refractive error.

Refractive error

Refractive error is the term used to describe poor focus. It may be caused by the shape of the eye and is resolved by applying a prescription lens in front of the eye to ensure a clear image reaches the retina. There are a number of specific refractive problems which cause poor vision including myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism.