17/04/2025
你知道嗎？👀
香港法例上對視光師的釋義，1985年立例來一直只提及「測試視力」至「裝配眼鏡」。香港的眼科視光學經過40年緊貼世界前列的發展以及五年的學位化課程🎓，早已肩負起守護市民眼睛健康的角色，我們能夠：
• 為市民提供綜合眼科視光檢查 ✅
• 參與慢病共治，糖尿病上眼/血壓上眼眼底檢查 ✅
• 學童眼睛檢查及近視防控 ✅
• 還有視覺復健等等 ✅
香港眼科視光師學會(HKSPO)多年來一直就基層醫療改革向政府相關部門倡議，透過持續在立法會遊說、公眾教育及引用國際案例比較，推動政府正視視光師在基層醫療的關鍵角色。📢早在2008年基層醫療健康藍圖中，政府亦有提及更新視光師職能定義，但多年來只聞樓梯響，不見人下樓，實質進展仍然停滯。⏳
正值《輔助醫療業條例》Cap.359進入修例倒數階段，這次修例其中一個主要目的是將「輔助醫療業」重新命名為「專職醫療業」，以更準確反映各專業在基層醫療中的角色和提升其專業地位。📖HKSPO藉此機會強烈表達條例中對於視光師專業的釋義需要更新，並不只限於現時所述的：
a) 測試視力
b) 配處視光用具（如眼鏡、隱形眼鏡）；
c) 裝配視光用具；或
d) 按處方供應視光用具。 (由1985年第67號第15條增補)
此定義自1985年立法以來從未經過修訂，未能反映視光師的現代專業實踐。例如，現今香港視光師已具備執行綜合眼科檢查的能力，包括糖尿病視網膜病變篩查、青光眼評估、兒童視覺發展監測等屬基層醫療的重要範疇，導致公眾對視光師的認知仍停留在「配眼鏡」層面，也影響其在專職醫療體系中的專業定位。故此，我們建議局方應對視光師在基層醫療角色的定義增加以下項目：
❇️ e) 檢查眼睛以發現視力障礙、受傷跡象和眼部疾病以及其他與眼睛相關的疾病。❇️
我們的建議並非擴展權限，而是希望法例真實反映視光師已具備的專業能力和日常工作範圍。香港理工大學的眼科視光學課程已涵蓋眼底攝影、視野檢查等進階診斷技術訓練，學生畢業前需通過臨床實習才能註冊，以上對於視光師的描述實不存在爭議。
局方雖表示「非常認同」我們的倡議，卻以「技術困難」為由消極回應。HKSPO對此反應感到失望。試問，條例連名稱都能修改，甚至加入了第五、六部份註冊視光師，為何對視光師簡單字眼上的職能更新都不加以著墨❓這種過時的定義將嚴重影響專業發展，並可能導致市民的誤解和專業人才流失。😔
為此，HKSPO與胡教授聯同友會已親身前往立法會與法案委員會議員商討有關視光師職能的修訂事宜。我們坦承表達了在基層醫療改革的背景下，視光師的法定職能修訂已經不能再遲疑。若錯失此次良機，又將需等待數年，難道局方真的願意為單一職業的修訂再另行提出修例嗎？⚠️
會員們，我們會盡力爭取，希望大家支持！💪🏻
#守護眼睛健康 #視光師不只是驗度數
Did you know? 👀
The legal definition of optometrists in Hong Kong, established since 1985, has only mentioned "testing eyesight" and “prescribing glasses". Over the past 40 years, optometry in Hong Kong has advanced significantly to match global standards, supported by a five-year university degree. 🎓 Today's optometrists play a vital role in safeguarding eye health, capable of:
• Comprehensive optometric eye examinations ✅
• Chronic disease co-management, including diabetic/hypertensive retinopathy screenings ✅
• Children eye examinations and myopia control ✅
• Vision rehabilitation, and much more ✅
The Hong Kong Society of Professional Optometrists (HKSPO) has actively advocated to the government for primary healthcare reform through continuous lobbying, public campaigns, and international comparisons, urging the government to recognize optometrists' critical role in primary healthcare. 📢 Although the government's Healthcare Reform Consultation Document in 2008 already acknowledged the need to update the professional definition, there has been little actual progress since. ⏳
Currently, amendments to the Supplementary Medical Professions Ordinance (Cap. 359) are entering the final stage. One key objective of this amendment is to rename "Supplementary Medical Professions" to "Allied Health Professions," accurately reflecting each profession's role in primary healthcare and elevating professional status. 📖 HKSPO strongly advocates that the optometrists' professional definition in the Ordinance must be updated beyond the current descriptions of:
(a) testing vision;
(b) prescribing optical appliances;
(c) fitting optical appliances; or
(d) supplying optical appliances on prescription. (Added by No. 67 of 1985, s.15 )
This definition has not been substantially updated since 1985, failing to reflect contemporary optometric practice. Today's optometrists are equipped to perform comprehensive eye exams, including diabetic retinopathy screenings, glaucoma assessments, monitoring of children vision development, and other important primary healthcare tasks. Due to this outdated definition, the public's perception of optometrists remains limited to prescribing glasses, affecting the professional recognition within the allied health system. Thus, we propose adding the following to the definition:
❇️ (e) Examining eyes for detecting vision disorders, signs of injury and ocular diseases, and other eye-related conditions. ❇️
Our proposal does not seek an expansion of power but aims to accurately reflect the professional capabilities and daily practices optometrists already possess. The optometry curriculum at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University includes advanced diagnostic training such as fundus photography and visual field testing, and graduates must pass clinical placements before registration—this definition update is uncontroversial.
Although authorities have expressed "strong agreement" with our proposal, their response has been passive, citing "technical difficulties." HKSPO finds this extremely disappointing. If even the name of the Ordinance can be changed, and Part V and VI registered optometrists can be added, why not update simple wording regarding the optometrists’ scope of practice❓Such an outdated definition is severely hampering professional growth and causing public misunderstanding and talent loss. 😞
Therefore, HKSPO, together with Professor Woo and our partnering associations, have visited the Legislative Council and discussed this amendment with the Bills Committee. 🏛️ We have openly expressed that, under the current primary healthcare reform, the update to optometrists' legal scope of practice cannot be delayed any longer. If this opportunity is missed, we may have to wait for years again. Will the government truly propose another legislative amendment solely for optometrists? ⚠️
Members, we will strive our best, and we sincerely hope for your support! 💪🏻
