Department of Optometry
and Biology of Visual System
Poznan University of Medical Sciences
Poland
Poland area:
312679 km2
Capital: Warsaw
Population: 38 mln
Currency: PLN
1 Euro = 4,02 PLN
Famous Poles
Optometric schools in Poland
At the present time there are two tracts
by which one can become an
optometrist in Poland:
 the university based degree in
biophysics with specialization in
optometry
 a postgraduate 2-year program in
optometry after graduation any
university faculty.
Optometric schools in Poland
Poznan University of
Medical Sciences Postgraduate Optometry
Program (4 semesters) since 1995 year
Adam Mickiewicz
University in Poznan
Faculty of Phisics
(cooperation with
Poznan University of
Medical Sciences) –
Dispensing optics bachelor’s degree (6
semesters) - since 1998
year
Optometry – master
degree (4 semesters) since 2001 year
Faculty of Phisics
University of Warsaw
Dispensing optics bachelor’s degree (6
semesters) - since
2009 year
Wroclaw University of Technology
Dispensing optics - ingeneering degree
(8 semesters) - since 60 - ties
Optometry – master degree (3
semesters) - since 2008
Postgraduate optometry program (4
semesters) - since 2004
Optometry in Poland
 1983.01.01 – Creation the Chair of Optometry in
Biophysics Department of University of Medical
Sciences on the initiative of professor Boleslaw
Kedzia.
Optometry in Poland
 The main goals of the Department were:
 preparation and accomplishment academic level education
programme for optometrists
 introducing of the optometrist profession to the system of
public health
 the legal protection of the profession in Poland
2010
1990
Polish Optometric Journals
published in Poznan
On the initiative of Professor Boleslaw Kedzia
After 2-3 years these journals were cancelled for the financial
reasons
(an insufficient number of subscribes and little financial
resources from sponsors)
Optometry in Poznan University of
Medical Sciences
 In 1989 the group concerning on creation Postgraduate Optometry Study
Programme was formed at our University
 The program was created after review of the European and
American optometric education systems.
 1995 first edition of Postgraduate Optometry Study in Poznan University
of Medical Sciences was started.
Current Postgraduate
Optometry Programme
 To enter a four – semester study of Postgraduate Optometry
Programme the entrance examination is required. Candidates are
required to pass a written multiple choice questions examination
(human biology and optics at the secondary school level)
over 600 hours of lectures and laboratories
 7 editions so far, over 100 graduates
 Mod 1. Bio- medical Courses (75 h)- anatomy, histology,
physiology, biochemistry, general pathology and basis of
pharmacology
 Mod 2. Optics courses (110 h)- nature of light, environmental
vision, geometrical and physical optics, and physiological optics
Current Postgraduate
Optometry Programme
Mod 3. Biology of Visual System
(70 h) - ocular anatomy, histology, physiology,
microbiology and diagnostic,
biochemistry of eye
 Mod 4. Visual Perception
(25 h)- physiological visual perception,
electrophysiology and anomalies of vision
perception
 Mod 5. Binocular Vision (40 h)- normal
binocular responses, anomalies of binocular
vision
Current Postgraduate
Optometry Programme
 Mod 6. Ocular pathology (45 h) –
diagnostic technics ophthalmoscopy,
biomicroscopy, tonometry, diagnosis of
pathology of the eye
 Mod 7. Dispensing Optics (35 h) - practical
optics about lenses and frames, quality
assurance, new technologies and materials
 Mod 8. Optometric Examination
Procedures (60 h) - didactic and practice of
patient interactions and optometric testing,
refractions
Current Postgraduate
Optometry Programme
 Mod 9. Contact Lenses
(35 h) - corneal physiology, lens
design, fitting, care and follow-up
Mod 10. Medical ethics and ethics
of optometry profession, marketing
basis- (20 h)
Mod.11. Clinical care practiced in
the laboratory room, at screenings and
in independent study- (120 h)
Final research work and final exam
Postgraduate Optometry Programe Selected Final Research Works
Topics
 Visual screening of school children in primary
schools and school for mental retardation children
 Case analysis of choosen optometric patients
 Ethics in optometry
 Psyhological problems of optometric patients
 Graphical analysis in optometric practice
 Correction of astigmatism with soft contact
lenses
 Comparison utility of Humphrisse and Turville
methods of balance accomodation measurement
Current Postgraduate Optometry
Programme
During our programme of postgraduate studies our graduates
receive the base of knowledge and professional optometric skills.
Their knowledge must be extended and complemented further in the
professional courses. Organization of optometric continuing
education is one of the basic roles of Polish Association of
Optometry and Optics and also our Universities.
Optometry in Poland
XXV Anniversary of Departament of Optometry and Biology of Visual
System creation and XV Anniversary of Postgraduate Optometry Programme
at Poznan University of Medical Sciences
March 2010 – International Conference in Poznan: „Optometry development
in Poland - the importance of Higher Education”
Postgraduate Optometry
Programme Benefits
 Over 100 optometrists in Poland
 1994 year Polish Association of Optometry and Optics (PTOiO) –
presidents were graduates of our Postgraduate Optometry Program
 Organizing international optometric conferences and workshops
 Intensive work at optometry law regulations in Poland
 the profession of Optometry is recognized by Polish Government
 the practical scope of Optometry profession is still under legislation
process
Modification Postgraduate
Optometry Programe in Poland with
cooperation with American
Optometrists
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Development of clinical optometry
education
Focus on increasing eye problems – AMD,
glaucoma, eye changes in civilization
diseases (diabetes, hypertension)
Introducing to optometry education
pediatric optometry and visual training –
in progress

Modification of Postgraduate 2 year
Optometry Programme
Curricular changes of Optometry Postgraduate Programme result
from:
 Necessity of improving Public Health Service (WHO & WCO
Standards, Prophylaxis Programme – „Vision 2020 The Right to
Sight”)
 Students expectations
 Necessity of improving practical optometric skills and
increasing number of well develope optometric clinics
Cooperation with American
optometrists during creation
Postgraduate Optometry Programe
in Poland
Prof. J. Lowther O.D. Ph.D. FAAO
Indiana University
Prof. J. Jurkes O.D. MBA
Illinois College of Optometry
Prof. W.C. Maples O.D. M.S
Northeastern State University
Oklahoma College of Optometry,
Southern College of Optometry in
Memphis
Modification Postgraduate
Optometry Programe in Poland with
cooperation with American
Optometrists
Prof. W.C. Maples O.D. M.S.
Prof. T. Wingert O.D.
University of Missouri St. Louis
College of Optometry
Prof. J. Pizzimenti O.D. FAAO
Nova Southeastern
College of Optometry
Modification Postgraduate Optometry
Programe in Poland with cooperation with
American Optometrists

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Dr Timothy Wingert a professor at the University of
Missouri – St. Louis College of Optometry was named a
Fulbright Scholar – as first optometrist in the U.S.
During winter semester 2006 taugh optometry in our
clinical programme.
Dr Joseph Pizzimenti a professor at Nova Southeastern
University College of Optometry as a Senior Fellow of
WCO was teaching Clinical Optometry in our
Programme during the summer semester 2007.
Dr W.C. Maples a professor of Optometry in Oklahoma
College of Optometry and now in Southern College of
Optometry in Memphis for 20 years helped us in
implementing programme and last in clinical optometry
and VT.
I would like to thank for help to Dr. Gerard Lowther,
dean of the College of Optometry in Bloomington, and
Dr. Janice Jurkus from Illinois College of Optometry
for the impolementation of training programme for
contact lenses
World Council of Optometry
Workshop in Poznan March 30 –
April 8, 2004
Optometric Education Model in Poland:
„(…) The Polish optometric education program and efforts to establish
Optometry as a recognized health profession may serve as a model for
other countries wishing to establish Optometry as a separate
profession. (…)”
Janice Jurkus, OD, MBA
and Janice Scharre, OD, MA
World Council of Optometry Fellows
March 30-April 8, 2004
Optimal condition for optometry
development
Education
Legislation
Optometrist competence
in Poland
Optometrist in Poland can provide:
 primary eye care
 refraction procedures
 prescribe and apply lenses, contact lenses and optic
equipement for low vision patients
 visual screening tests
 visual training
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Born in Poland (1235-1290) identified his
parents as a Thuringian and a Pole. He
considered Poland his homeland and died in
Wrocław.
His survinving opus of great fame and
several editions was PERSPECTIVAM
vocant, LIBRI X, appearing in 1273
(published in print three times Norimbergae 1543 and 1551, Basileae
1572).
PERSPECTIVAE served as the major
scientific reference basic to the
understanding of vision until well into the
17th century.
Honour Medal awarded by University of
Medical Sciences in Poznan in recognition of
a generous help for the Optometry
development in Poland
Department of Optometry and Biology
of Visual System – Faculty and Staff
Chairman:
•Prof. Bogdan Miśkowiak M.D, PhD
Assistant Professors
• Katarzyna Perz M.D., optometrist, Ph.D
• Danuta Pieczyrak M.S., optometrist, Ph.D
Assistants:
• Natalia Adamczak M.S., optometrist
• Monika Feltzke M.S., optometrist
Technicall assistants:
•Hanna Buczkowska M.S., optometrist
• Andrzej Michalski M.S., M.D., ophthalmologist
• Karolina Łażewska M.S., optometrist
• Joanna Kowalak B.S.
Katedra Optometrii i Biologii Układu Wzrokowego
Uniwersytetu Medycznego im. Karola Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu
Rozwój optometrii w Polsce – rola szkół wyższych
Poznań, 12-13 marca 2010
Thank you for your attention