As a student optometrist, having the right tools and resources is essential for your training and practice. The main downside to these resources is that they usually cost much more than the student budget allows for and can be too big to store at your residence.
That said, not all is lost – there are lots of low-cost and alternative methods to practice those newly-learned skills at home! Whilst these items may not be in your final optometrist equipment bag upon qualification, they are more than useful enough to hone skills between clinical sessions.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional training or equipment. While practicing optometry skills at home with alternative tools can be beneficial, it is crucial to consult with qualified professionals (including your clinical tutors/supervisors) to ensure proper technique and safety. Improvised tools have limitations and may not accurately replicate clinical conditions. Always prioritise guidance from experienced optometrists and use certified equipment, especially when performing procedures that could affect eye health.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, The Eye Care Advocate may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
1. Occluder
An eye occluder is a simple but valuable tool for practicing cover tests, measuring visual acuity, and assessing eye alignment. Look out for promotional freebies at conferences or university events, but failing that you can purchase one at Amazon for low cost.
Not wanting to purchase a proper occluder? Not to worry – be creative in your home or at the Students’ Union – a tv remote or a beermat can also be used as an occluder in social settings. Additionally, you can run your own “fun” unofficial experiments to see how much your friends’ phoria increases over the space of the evening.
2. Pen Torch
A penlight or pen torch is another budget-friendly item. It’s useful for performing ocular motility, assessing pupil reflexes and performing a crude examination of the anterior eye. In fact, this one, if a decent one is invested in, will last you far beyond your student years and will likely feature in your locum workbag post-qualification.
Sourcing a pen torch is relatively easy – again, they are often given away by companies as promotional freebies at conferences or university events, but they can be bought at low cost from Amazon here.
Not wanting to buy one? You may be able to use other light sources, such as the torch function on your phone, but be warned, these can be much brighter than recommended and at a different colour temperature, which may cause significant glare and discomfort. The last thing you want to do is overly dazzle your friends with glare than your amazing optometry skills – so be careful!
3. Near Fixation Target
Near fixation targets are essential for performing many tests assessing accommodation, convergence and near acuity. They are found in every optometrist’s equipment list and they get a lot of use.
While the classic “Budgie Stick” fixation target is often preferred (whether for nostalgia or for wanting to own your own budgie without the noise and mess!), you can create your own near fixation targets at home. Find a small, detailed target that you like the look of (or design your own), print it off and attach it to the end of an ice-lolly stick. Et voilà! Your own near fixation target. Not eating ice-lollies? You can buy just the sticks alone from craft stores.
You can also purchase near fixation targets on Amazon.
4. Tape Measures
A tape measure helps you understand the distances at which key tests are performed. Use it to measure near point of convergence, amplitude of accommodation and assess the near acuity distance and range of your patient.
Personally, I have bought several from TEMU – as they were less than a pound each and have left one in most practices I frequent so that I always know I have something to measure short distances with.
It always pays to have spares within my locum workbag too!
Whilst it is not advisable (or even that practical) to make your own, you can use any small tape measure that you may come across. Dressmakers, DIY stores, pound shops and a whole manner of stores sell them and of course, you can buy them relatively cheaply online. Buying a good one will also likely mean it will last you long beyond your time as a student – so it is definitely worth getting one of your own now!
5. Timer/Stopwatch
Time management is crucial in optometry. Not only is timing important in several of the tests you perform, but you’ll be working to time constraints both in your practical examinations and in clinics in the real world. Therefore it is important to practice procedures with a timed run to simulate real-world scenarios.
How can you do this successfully? Use your phone or any stopwatch to track your performance. Whilst a phone is often to hand, it can often act as a distraction, therefore consider using a different timer, such as that on a stopwatch or a smartwatch.
The more often you focus on doing things efficiently, the smoother your exams and real-world appointments will go. Have a go at setting time limits on each component and see how you get on!
6. Acuity Charts
One of the most important measurements you will take is the patient’s visions and acuity. It is also an area where students find issues when measuring appropriately. The more you do it, the easier it becomes. This is why The Eye Care Advocate has produced the Skill Centre, so you can practice the skills of visual acuity measurement. Give the page a visit and see how you get on!
That said, nothing compares to that of measuring the acuity on real patients, who may squirm, try and cheat and/or guess letters. Whilst purchasing official acuity charts would be ideal, you can create your own for training purposes. Amazon does have a variety of budget charts but you can generate distance and near vision charts at home to practice taking visual acuity measurements and recording them correctly. Remember not to use these homemade charts in official testing scenarios.
7. History & Symptoms
Practice mock case histories with fellow students. Take turns being the practitioner and patient, and create your own scripts and characters. Try to vary the scripts and have the patients presenting have different case histories and symptoms (mix it up throughout!) and also give them personalities, as taking a case history on someone relaxed is very different to taking one from a patient who is anxious or agitated!
To get you started, The Eye Care Advocate has a study guide that helps cover this in detail.
Buy your copy of History and Symptoms: The Eye Examination here.
8. PD Rules and Rulers
Measuring components of a patient’s frame or working out a person’s interpupillary distance can be tricky when you are first starting out. Whilst official dispensing tools aren’t too expensive, they are still a dent in the pocket of a money-conscious optometry student.
Whilst starting out and learning the basics, a standard transparent ruler may be of use to you, just so you can practice that fine art of taking a PD or a height from a frame. If the expense of a standard ruler from any stationery shop (or online!) is still too much to stand, many lens companies tend to use these items as freebies at exhibitions, conferences and university events. Keep an eye out for one and keep it in your set! You’ll never know where it will come in useful!
Remember that investing in quality tools will benefit your learning and future practice. As you progress in your optometry journey, consider adding additional specialised equipment (such as an ophthalmoscope, retinoscope, trial frame and refraction kit) to your collection. These tools will be used in your day-to-day role for years to come.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase items through these links, The Eye Care Advocate may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please make sure you do due diligence on the items that you purchase to ensure the quality is fit for your intended purposes.
Jason Searle is a qualified clinical optometrist that also works with undergraduate students in university clinics.
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