The College of Optometrists today announced the results of a Scope of Therapeutic Practice Survey carried out on its behalf by Professor John Lawrenson and colleagues from the Centre for Allied Health Professions Research at City University.
The survey, which was web based and elicited a 25% response rate from participants, investigated current practices in ocular disease management and polled optometrists’ views on extended prescribing rights. The resultant report gives a comprehensive picture of both current and potential future practice.
Key findings of the report included:
- Non sight-threatening eye conditions, such as dry eye, blepharitis and conjunctivitis were managed by up to 96% of respondents
- Therapeutic drugs used most frequently are those available over the counter e.g. lubricants, and topical anti-allergy drugs. However, 55% of respondents reported that they frequently or occasionally supplied chloramphenicol
- Despite one in four of respondents always or frequently managing ocular disease in conjunction with the GP, frequency of feedback from GPs is poor, with 65% of optometrists never receiving feedback
·- Only 6% of respondents reported that they always received feedback on referrals from ophthalmologists, with 37% receiving feedback frequently and 57% either occasionally or never.
- The majority of optometrists felt that, with appropriate further training, they should be able to prescribe most classes of ophthalmic drug in the future
- Nearly 80% of respondents felt they could manage primary open angle glaucoma therapeutically, with appropriate training
- Only 20-30% believed that anterior uveitis or dendritic ulcer could be managed with further training
- Only one in ten respondents said they had no intention of undergoing further training for prescribing; with 14% saying they had no interest in undertaking the role
- A number of barriers to undertaking prescriber training exist, including remuneration and fear of litigation
Commenting on the report, College Chief Executive, Bryony Pawinska said “The College is delighted to have sponsored this research, which shows us the extent to which optometrists already manage common, non-sight threatening eye disease in community practice and the opportunity for them to do so much more, given the right context, including the appropriate training and remuneration. It is research of this sort, which helps provide an evidence base with which to inform policy-making, that the College intends to fund more of in the future.”
Further details of the research will be provided in College publications in the near future.