Optometry is a healthcare profession that is autonomous, educated, and regulated (licensed/registered), and Optometrist are the primary healthcare practitioners of the eye and visual system who provide comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, detection/diagnosis and management of diseases in the eye, and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system. It services vary from country to country. The scope and practice in India are still poorly defined. The public does not have a clear understanding of the role and responsibility of Optometrist in the healthcare system. There are multiple cadres of Optometrist providing eye care services with varying levels of skill and training. It is not cost effective for the eye health system to provide refractive and ocular disease detection only in tertiary eye health services. Regulated and standardized 4 year trained Optometrist can make a major contribution to eye care in a more convenient and cost-effective way at a community. The objective of this study is 1) To upgrade knowledge of student 2) To uplift the standards of Optometry profession and education in and around areas of Etawah 3) To encourage the layman about the importance of eye care system and its related complications. 4) To aware young generations to choose the Optometry profession as a career. Material and methods - The first step is to collect data from the students coming for the counseling through CPNET exam via first, second, third & through mop-up round counseling through Questionnaire. The second step is followed by data collection from the intermediate schools, coaching’s centre, Private institutions with the help of volunteers taking help from government organization like the Public Awareness Campaign. Result and Discussion - The survey analysis shows that the demographic distribution out of 250 survey respondents showed an average mean of 26.70. The survey analysis shows that 61.2% responders were unaware about optometry and 38.8% were aware of the study. 39.6% responders think that optometrist is trained in detection and recognition of eye diseases while 60.4% thinks they are not trained. 39.6% responders think that optometrist is trained in detection and recognition of eye diseases while 60.4% thinks they are not trained. The responders when asked about the difference between ophthalmologist and optometrist so 59.6% do not know the difference. 60% of these subjects think that ophthalmologists can prescribe the contact lenses. Conclusion - These findings seem to indicate major deficiencies in public awareness about the role of Optometrist in around areas of Etawah. There is a need to increase campaign in these areas via educational programs, a poster explaining the eye care and diseases, exhibitions for the public concerning the profession of Optometry. There should also a provision of comprehensive vision care program for a patient’s health care needs.
