Development of Optical Dispensing in Mongolia

David Wilson PhD

Research Manager, Asia PacificPublic Health Division

Brien Holden Vision Institute

Situational analysis 2007• There is limited development and regulation

around refractive error services in Mongolia• Many optical workshops are operated by

persons with no formal training• The few trained Mongolian opticians that exist

were trained in Germany or Russia• The Mongolia Optical Association (MOA)

identified the need to regulate optical dispensing as a registered profession

Pilot spectacle technicians course 2008

• A 12 day Spectacle Technician course was introduced to Mongolia

• Manuals, PowerPoint presentations and handouts were translated into Mongolian by a local ophthalmologist (familiar with the technical terms)

Pilot course 2008 – theory class

Pilot course 2008 – practical class

Spectacle technicians course structure

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Table 2 Post-course survey – general satisfaction 

Excellent Very good Good PoorPrinted course materials 71% 29% 0 0Practical tuition 94% 6% 0 0Overall course 94% 6% 0 0 

Table 3 Post-course survey – length of course 

Too long About right Too short

Course 0 94% 6% 

Spectacle technicians course structure

• Module 1 - Orientation for Ophthalmic Optics• Part 1 - Optics• Part 2 - Parts of the eye• Part 3 - Hyperopia, Myopia and Astigmatism• Part 4 - Presbyopia• Part 5 - Communication and basic record keeping

• Module 2 - Basic facial measurements• Module 3 - Basic workshop skills• Module 4 - Checking and quality control

Calculating course requirements

Adapting the course• In 2010, the MOA used the translated

course materials to develop a 45 day course, which was considered more appropriate for the setting

• Following the first course, the MOA also used the training to promote regulation of the profession