Optometry and Dispensing Opticians
Overview
Optometry and Optical Dispensing are autonomous, regulated (licensed/registered) healthcare professions and Optometrists are the primary providers of vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, detection/diagnosis and management of disease in the eye, and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system. Whereas Dispensing Opticians dispense and fit spectacles and other optical aids, working from prescriptions written by Optometrists.
The Board is constituted in terms of the Regulations relating to the Constitution of the Professional Board for Optometry and Dispensing Opticians, Regulation No. R. 1250 of 28 November 2008. The current Board will be in office until 2025.
The following professions are registered under our auspices, namely:
- Dispensing Opticians
- Student Dispensing Opticians
- Supplementary Optical Dispensers
- Student Supplementary Optical Dispensers
- Supplementary Optometrists
- Optometrists
- Student Optometrists
- Orthoptists
Vision Statement
The Vision of the PBODO is to: -
“Regulator that promotes quality, equitable provision of holistic eye care for all”
Mission Statement
The mission of the Professional Board for Optometry and Dispensing Opticians is to enhance the quality of health for all by developing strategic policy frameworks for effective and efficient co-ordination and guidance of the professions through:
- Setting contextually relevant healthcare training and practice standards for registered professions incorporating technological advances.
- Ensuring compliance with standards.
- Fostering on-going professional development and competence.
- Protecting the public in matters involving the health services.
- Public and stakeholder engagement.
- Upholding and maintaining ethical and professional standards within the professions.
Board Members
In terms of Regulation 2 of the Regulations relating to the functions and functioning of the Professional Board, the Professional Board at its first meeting each year, must appoint Committees which would function until the first meeting of the Professional Board in the following year.
The Board also appoints the Chairperson of each Committee, except in the case of the Executive Committee of the Professional Board, which is chaired by the Chairperson of the Professional Board. The composition, quorum, and terms of reference of each Committee must be determined by the Professional Board.
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Chairperson
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Ms Y Naidoo
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Vice -Chairperson
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Mr F Nxumalo
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Board Members
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Dr A de la Rey
Prof L Sithole
Mr S Gumede
Ms N Moloto
Ms C Botha
Mr F Mphaga
Prof K Mashige
Mr V Khanyile
Mr L Gabela
Mr M Phala
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Information coming soon
Newsletter
Guidelines
The guidelines for the Board include the Ethical Rules of Conduct in respect of which we may take disciplinary steps.
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Restoration Guidelines
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View document |
| PBODO Guidelines for Volunteer Practitioner Revised 15032023 | View document |
Clinical Guidelines
| Clinical Guidelines for Dispensing | View document |
| Clinical Guidelines for Paediatric Eye Examination | View document |
| Clinical Guidelines for Contact Lens Fitting | View document |
| Clinical Guidelines for Basic General and Comprehensive Eye Examinations | View document |
Mobile Practice Guidelines
| Mobile Practice Guidelines - Revised 08032022 | View document |
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Application form for operating a Mobile Practice
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View document |
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Approved applications for license to operate a Mobile Practice
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View document |
| Guidelines for outreach activities - 19092023 | View document |
Guidelines for Supervised Practice
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Guidelines
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View document |
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Annexure A
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View document |
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Annexure B
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View document |
Foreign Qualified
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Foreign Qualified Practitioners Guidelines
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View document |
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Checklist for Evaluation of Documents Submitted by Foreign Qualified Practitioners
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View document |
Telehealth Guidelines
| Telehealth guidelines | View document |
Examinations
| F176 ODO Foreign Qualified | View document |
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Checklist for evaluation of documents submitted by foreign qualified practitioners
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View document |
| Board Exam Guidelines Board | View document |
| National Board Exam Dispensing Opticians - Core Competencies | View document |
| National Board Exam Optometry Core Competencies | View document |
Accreditations
| Self Review template | View document |
| Guidelines for Evaluation and Recognition of programmes | View document |
Regulations
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Regulations relating to the conditions under which registered orthoptists may practice their profession – GN R2364/76
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View document |
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Regulations relating to the registration of optometry students – GN R1845/77 |
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Regulations relating to the registration by optometrists of additional qualifications – GN R1103/84
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Regulations relating to the constitution of the professional board for optometry and dispensing opticians – GN R1250/2008
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Regulations relating to names that may not be used in relation to the profession of optometry – GN 1212/2004
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Regulations defining the scope of the profession of optometry and dispensing opticians
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View document |
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Regulations for the relating to qualifications for the registration of dispensing opticians |
View document |
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Regulations for the relating to qualifications for the registration of optometrists |
View document |