Optometrist, Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences

Entity: Aga Khan University Hospital

Location: Karachi, Pakistan

Introduction:

Aga Khan University, chartered in 1983 as Pakistan's first private international university, is committed to the provision of education, research, and health care of international standard relevant to Pakistan and the region. The affiliated Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) has well-equipped investigative services and provides state-of-the-art clinical facilities.

The department Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at AKUH delivers subspecialized and multidisciplinary services in an environment that supports teaching, learning, research, partnerships, and leadership development. The faculty work closely with a team of 40+ specialized medical staff, nurses, optometrists, technicians, and others to offer comprehensive eye care for adults and children. These include (but are not limited to) surgery for cataract, corneal transplant, retinal disorders, glaucoma, orbital and facial reconstruction, refractive, squint, and ophthalmic tumors. Most of these services are delivered through the outpatient consulting clinics and/or day care surgery at the main campus but also increasingly at other sites as part of an integrated AKU eye health network that offers a continuum of care from the community to the more specialized services at hospitals at AKU hospitals.

Responsibilities:

You will collaborate with the Vision Care team in the evaluation and management of eye conditions affecting individuals of all age groups, including children and adults. This role will involve working with patients presenting amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (squint). Additionally, you will provide support to patients who have experienced brain injuries, diabetes, strokes, low vision, and glaucoma, contributing to the optometric aspect of the Ophthalmology Clinic. You will remain flexible to work at the main campus, Clifton and other medical centers, various AKU hospitals and in community settings as needed (eg. school and community eye health education and screening).

Specific responsibilities are as follows:

• Conduct comprehensive eye examinations, encompassing visual function testing, refraction, and intraocular measurements.
• Gather patient history and provide post-assessment counselling and management for cases of amblyopia.
• Collaborate with Ophthalmologists to develop treatment plans.
• Work with a diverse patient population, spanning from infants to the elderly.
• Undertake general administrative tasks related to patient care.
• Facilitate staff training under the guidance of the supervisor.
• Engage in research projects, collect clinical data for audits, and contribute to the development of pertinent guidelines.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current practices and diligently record work activities as part of your ongoing professional development.
• Learn and operate different ophthalmic diagnostic equipment.
• Active engagement in vision rehabilitation service.
• Display adequate clinical skill set for contact lens and spectacle type prescription.
• Ability to lead the group of optometrists from time to time and on rotational basis.

Requirements:

To be considered for this position, you should fulfill the following requirements:

• Completion of licensed optometrist training, either in a hospital-based program or foreign-trained, with a current and valid certificate permitting practice in Pakistan.
• A minimum of Intermediate or A-levels equivalent education.
• A certificate or degree from a reputable institution that offers optometry training is highly preferred.
• A minimum of two years of relevant experience in an ophthalmology clinic or hospital-based setting, with a preference for experience in pediatric patient care.
• Proficiency in conducting age-specific visual acuity assessments, including color assessment, extraocular movement evaluation, and Diplopia assessment (including the use of prisms). Strong skills in refraction for both adult and pediatric patients are essential.
• Effective communication and interpersonal abilities, along with the capability to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Comfortable working with patients and able to accommodate extended working hours when necessary.