Bill Harvey: And in this ever changing world

And so the cycle begins again. I have just taken part in an induction course for the latest batch of pre-reg optometrists. As I have mentioned before, I always find these courses a useful reflection of how the profession as a whole is changing and this week was no exception.

It seems not that long ago that I took my PQEs (though actually a humbling 27 years now) and the system then was such that the main requirement was to cram as much revision in as possible before two sets of oral examinations. These took place towards the end of a period in practice with little structure. The exams were difficult, and indeed I have heard many a colleague refer to them with the warm glow of nostalgia, while berating the current system as a dumbed down shadow of former times. They were, however, biased to those able to regurgitate learned facts. I remember, upon discovering in advance who my contact lens examiners might be, learning how to derive the keratometry formula. The examiner predictions proved correct and I duly gave the formula derivation when asked and passed the exam. I don’t think I have had to derive this formula since but it served its purpose for passing the exam.