I am writing to voice my concerns regarding the standards of optometry and optical services in Malaysia. As a country that strongly emphasises on improving public health, I would like to put my two cents worth that the eye health of the public is a main concern for both present and future

generations.

The reason why I bring up this matter is because my family friend, an optometrist who gained his qualification from the UK, told me that his optometry business in Malaysia has gone downhill over the past few years. He pointed to the fact that qualified and licenced eye-care professionals like him are forced to compete with their unqualified, unlicenced counterparts.

They, the so-called eye-care professionals, operate their business illegally by not just providing their clients, young and old, incorrect prescriptions for eyeglasses and lenses but also are unable to diagnose, treat and manage eye diseases or disorders, visual or physical. They would sometimes force clients with perfect eyesight to buy their eyeglasses and lenses from them.

Furthermore, they would go to the extent of buying fake licences and qualifications to enable them to operate their trade. As a result, the public is not only fooled but also are jeopardising their eye health in the hands of such charlatans.

My friend told me local authorities such as the Ministry of Health are not making an effort to stop these unqualified and unlicenced eye-care professionals from operating their trade. Furthermore, he mentioned one of his close associates recently wrote a letter to the ministry regarding the growing number of illegal eye-care professionals operating around Malaysia.

Unfortunately, nothing has been done to prevent those so-called professionals. It makes my friend, his associates and I wonder if our country is always emphasising on the development of science and technology, then why is Malaysian eye health regressing? We are living in the 21st century not in the Dark Ages where deadly yet preventable health problems were rampant.

As a Malaysian living overseas, I am concerned for the future of public eye health in Malaysia. I do not want to see myself in 30 or 40 years from now suffering an non-treatable, serious eye problem as a result of a failed diagnosis by illegal eye care professionals. Nor would I want to see the eye health of future Malaysian generations, especially in children, deteriorate. Unless some action is taken, these fakes will take over the places of licenced, qualified eye-care professionals and the eye health of the public will be in danger.

In countries such as UK, Australia and New Zealand, the ministry of health and optometrists association would work together to conduct routine inspections on opticians and optometrists to ensure they are not operating their businesses illegally and are not possessing fake certificates or licences. If an unlicensed or unqualified eye care professional is discovered operating his or her business illegally, he or she will not only face prosecution but will also be banned from practicing optometry for life by the local optometry association.

The same applies to the fake eye care professionals who hold fake qualifications and licences. The optometry association will report the case to counterpart associations in foreign countries and the International Optometry Council to ensure the offender will not re-open his or her practice anywhere in the world. The routines aim to save the public from jeopardising their eye health in the hands of those irresponsible.

It is high time our Ministry of Health play a role by not only establishing strict rules and regulations related to optometry services but also in conducting routine inspections like their Western counterparts to weed out unlicenced, unqualified professionals and also prevent them from jeopardising the eye health of the public.

The old saying 'It is better to be safe than sorry' rings true as prevention helps to avoid eye health related cases from worsening in the future. Eye health is very important as they signify the progress and development of an individual's well-being. Once eye health is neglected or jeopardised, an individual is unable to perform a task with safety and ease.