Defining the scope of practice of optometry.

Defining the scope of practice of optometry is difficult, but important for the profession and optometric education. Even though the scope of practice can be defined in various ways and is constantly changing, the schools and colleges of optometry must have some sense of the boundaries of the profession in order to develop educational programs which will prepare students to practice well into the future. The use of three-dimensional diagrammatic models creates a visual representation of the elements which define the scope of practice. Additionally, these models can assist schools and colleges to improve their understanding of the various dynamics which must be considered in developing the most appropriate methods to analyze the competencies required for entry into the practice of optometry.