Ermira Tateshi becomes North Macedonia's first optometrist with a PhD in special education

Dr. Ermira Tateshi has become the first optometrist in North Macedonia to earn a PhD in special education and rehabilitation, specifically focusing on the field of visual impairment.

Defending her dissertation, titled ‘Refractive errors in school-age children’, at the Faculty of Philosophy of Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, her research analyzed data from 16,400 children diagnosed with refractive errors and 115 teachers. The study examines the distribution of refractive problems in children and the role teachers play in the early identification of vision difficulties.

Dr. Tateshi’s work bridges eye health and child education, highlighting how timely detection of vision issues can directly impact a student's ability to participate and progress in the learning process. The research emphasizes the necessity of cooperation between families, educators, and eye health professionals for early intervention.