Strengthening Workforce Competency in Eye Care: Aligning Malaysia’s optometry education standards with global frameworks

Abstract

Introduction: Developing a competent eye care workforce requires alignment between national education standards and internationally recognised competency frameworks. In Malaysia, the Optometry Programme Standard addresses local professional and regulatory needs, yet there are opportunities to strengthen its global relevance and policy coherence.

Objective: This review assessed the alignment of the Malaysian Optometry Programme Standard with the World Council of Optometry (WCO) Guide for Optometric Education and identified areas for improvement in competency documentation, curriculum governance, and workforce policy integration.

Methods: A narrative review was conducted using documents (2010–2024) related to competency frameworks and optometric education standards. Databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Google Scholar, as well as relevant policy documents. A structured screening approach was used to ensure transparency in study selection, including predefined eligibility criteria and iterative reviewer discussions to resolve discrepancies. Findings were synthesised narratively based on thematic relevance rather than statistical aggregation.

Findings: Both frameworks emphasise core clinical competencies, but differ in structure and specificity. The WCO guide adopts a domain-based model with measurable performance indicators, while the Malaysian standard outlines broader outcomes without explicit competency mapping. Alignment was strongest in ocular health, moderate in refractive error, visual function, and professional practice, and weakest in public health.

Conclusion: Strengthening Malaysia’s optometry education through a national, domain-based competency framework would enhance curriculum comparability, accreditation consistency, and workforce readiness. Enhanced alignment with global standards will support health workforce mobility, policy harmonisation, and the long-term quality assurance of optometric education in Malaysia.