Diploma in Ophthalmic Assistant

Two years, full time para-medical & allied health sector training curriculum Designed and accredited by National Council of Vocation and Research Training (NCVRT)

National Council for Vocational Training and Research (NCVRT) is a Central Board established under the article 29 & 30(1) Constitution of India and legally incorporated under Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India & offering certified skill programs under Additional Skill Qualification Training Programme (ASQTP) in the form of value-added courses / self-employment courses for the people living in both rural and urban areas. Courses are designed and accredited by International Quality Standards for Vocational Education Council (IQSVEC).

Need for more skilled manpower to deliver primary eye care to the needy, specially in rural areas

PBMA’s H.V.Desai Eye Hospital felt that there is a need for a permanent eye care facility that could provide primary eye care to rural population. So we established Vision Centres in rural and semi-urban areas. A Vision Centre is a primary eye care centre that would serve a rural population of 20,000 – 50,000 persons and satisfy their primary eye care needs.

A well-equipped Vision Centre can provide –

  • Routine Eye examination, detection, management of Refractive Errors including simple eye diseases.
  • Provide Spectacles to correct refractive errors in all age groups, provide follow-up eye care facility.
  • Help in early detection & diagnosis of complex, serious eye problems, and referring them to the base hospital.
  • Helping the patient to interact with ophthalmologist in the base hospital through teleconference, about the diagnosis and treatment.

For effective running of Vision Centre in delivering primary care, regular availability of skilled manpower is very important. In order to ensure this and also provide more employment opportunities to the young adults, especially from economically weaker sections and rural areas, PBMA’s H V Desai Eye Hospital has planned to conduct training course which will primarily focus on enhancing the practical skills of primary health workers so they can effectively contribute in delivering primary eye care at the Vision Centre or at the Eye hospital, under the supervision of an Ophthalmologist.

Name of the course :

Diploma in Ophthalmic Assistant (HEA 825) – 2 year Full-time Course designed and approved by National Council of Vocational & Research Training (NCVRT)

Eligibility :

Class XII passed from Maharashtra State Board of Secondary School Education or any recognised Indian State / Central Board of Secondary Education and NCVRT, New Delhi.

Total number of seats to First year of Diploma course = Maximum of 30 eligible students. Academic year is from 1st July to 30th June every year.

Admission process :

After completing this programme, participants will be able to :

Jobs at Vision Centres as Ophthalmic Assistants are available at Eye Hospitals, who need skilled manpower to support the eye care community projects in their respective areas.

Course syllabus and execution

The course curriculum approved by NCVRT is followed in conducting the full-time 2 year diploma course. The classes (theory and clinical sessions) will be conducted at PBMA’s H V Desai Eye Hospital, Hadapsar, Pune on all every weekdays, Monday to Saturday, from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. Training methodology includes a combination of Lectures and demonstrations, use of videos, PPTs, Observation, discussion sessions, practice sessions, hands-on training, situation analysis study, seminars and case presentation, Outreach camps and Vision centres posting. The students will also be posted at Vision Centres of H V Desai Eye Hospital in and around Pune and at eye camps conducted at different locations around the city.

Evaluation Pattern

NCVRT central board of examinations conducts annual exams usually in month of April / May every year. NCVRT office in Delhi completes all the examination process, prints marksheets and course completion certificates to successful candidates usually within 3 months from date of declaration of results every year.

Course fee structure :(as updated by NCVRT circulars every year)

All fees should be paid in full every year in the bank account of the Institute in Pune, to complete the admission & registration process with National Council of Vocational Research & Training, New Delhi.

Additional facilities and education grant support

PBMA’s H V Desai Eye Hospital works with other NGO partners to provide education grants to cover course fee, accommodation, food, educational resources, and clinical material for eligible students based on the merit and those from economically weaker sections in rural areas. Eligibility for seeking this grant is based on submitting family income documents, appropriate government certificates including ration card, etc. and the financial support may be provided only after confirmation from the donor and funds are received by PBMA’s H V Desai Eye Institute, Pune.

How to apply

Applicants interested to take admission to the course, should get the application Form from office at below address. The completed form, along with attested copies of all necessary documents should be submitted to the course coordinator before the cut-off time on the date mentioned on the application form.

Contact : Admin,
PBMA’s H V Desai Vocational Training Centre
H V Desai Eye Hospital,
93, Tarawade Vasti, Mohammadwadi, Pune – 411060 Maharashtra
E-mail : aopcourses@hvdeh.org