Comparative analysis of delivery of primary eye care in three European countries

The Scope of Optometry Practice in Jordan

“…Optometry professionals are also not permitted to provide services for children 12 years or younger, which may explain that more than half of the participants did not provide pediatric services, whereas only 45% provided services for ages 12 to 18 years 11 . This is in contrast with the scope of practice observed in other countries like the United Kingdom and New Zealand 5,8 . However, the scope of practice observed in such countries was due to a progressive change powered by increased knowledge and training, and advocacy from representative bodies of optometrists, as well as public interest and need.…”

“…In addition, this is one of the core competencies as defined by the WCO. 5 However, most optometry professionals did not include vision therapy in their practice because of a lack of knowledge. Although optometric curricula provided in Jordan were not included in the current study, a desktop review reveals that vision therapy is not offered to optometry students in Jordan.…”

“…11 This is in contrast with the scope of practice observed in other countries like the United Kingdom and New Zealand. 5,8 However, the scope of practice observed in such countries was due to a progressive change powered by increased knowledge and training, and advocacy from representative bodies of optometrists, as well as public interest and need. With more than one-third of the Jordanian population being younger than 15 years, 17 many children are expected to require pediatric eye services.…”

“…4 Categories of optometric services according to the WCO include (1) optical dispensing services (i.e., dispensing), (2) visual function services (i.e., dispensing, refraction, and optical prescription), (3) ocular diagnostic services (i.e., dispensing, refraction, optical prescription, screening for eye disorders without drugs, and diagnosing eye disorders using diagnostic pharmaceutical agents), and (4) ocular therapeutic services (i.e., dispensing, refraction, optical prescription, diagnosing eye disorders using diagnostic pharmaceutical agents, and treatment of eye disorders using therapeutic pharmaceutical agents). 5 Despite the clear concept of optometry by the WCO and the detailed competencies highlighted, discrepancies remain in the scope of practice in many parts of the world. Previous research in other countries such as the United States, India, New Zealand, and South Africa shows that optometric practice ranges from prescription of controlled substances, performance of specific number of surgical procedures, and treatment of ocular conditions independently in communitybased practices to refraction and routine eye examination with limitations on equipment and access to care.…”

“…The World Council of Optometry (WCO) defines optometry as “a healthcare profession that is autonomous, educated, and regulated (licensed/registered), and optometrists are the primary healthcare practitioners of the eye and visual system who provide comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, detection/diagnosis and management of disease in the eye, and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system.” 4 Categories of optometric services according to the WCO include (1) optical dispensing services (i.e., dispensing), (2) visual function services (i.e., dispensing, refraction, and optical prescription), (3) ocular diagnostic services (i.e., dispensing, refraction, optical prescription, screening for eye disorders without drugs, and diagnosing eye disorders using diagnostic pharmaceutical agents), and (4) ocular therapeutic services (i.e., dispensing, refraction, optical prescription, diagnosing eye disorders using diagnostic pharmaceutical agents, and treatment of eye disorders using therapeutic pharmaceutical agents) 5 …”