The role of optometry in collaborative eye care

Kalloniatis, Michael; Ly, Christina

doi:10.1111/cxo.12403

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…17,18 Optometrists are usually patients' first point-of-contact in the healthcare system and play an essential role in identifying patients with retinal diseases, coordinating co-management, and providing long-term care. 19,20 Australia and New Zealand have a uniform approach for the standards of optometry training, with continuing professional development activity required to maintain licensure. 21 Optometric scope of practice includes independent diagnosis and management of ocular disorders relating to visual function and eye health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic testing and gene therapy in retinal diseases: Knowledge and perceptions of optometrists in Australia and New Zealand

et al. 2023

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With advances in gene‐based therapies for heritable retinal diseases, primary eye care clinicians should be informed on ocular genetics topics. This cross‐sectional survey evaluated knowledge, attitudes, and concerns regarding genetic testing and gene therapy for retinal diseases among optometrists in Australia and New Zealand. Survey data included practitioner background, attitudes and practices towards genetic testing for monogenic inherited retinal disease (IRDs) and age‐related macular degeneration, and knowledge of ocular genetics and gene therapy. Responses were received from 516 optometrists between 1 April and 31 December 2022. Key perceived barriers to accessing genetic testing were lack of clarity on referral pathways (81%), cost (65%), and lack of treatment options if a genetic cause is identified (50%). Almost all respondents (98%) believed that ophthalmologists should initiate genetic testing for IRDs and fewer understood the role of genetic counsellors and clinical geneticists. This study found that optometrists in Australia and New Zealand have a high level of interest in ocular genetics topics. However, knowledge gaps include referral pathways and awareness of genetic testing and gene therapy outcomes. Addressing perceived barriers to access and promoting sharing of knowledge between interdisciplinary networks can set the foundation for genetic education agendas in primary eye care.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic testing and gene therapy in retinal diseases: Knowledge and perceptions of optometrists in Australia and New Zealand

et al. 2023

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“…1,3,4 The COVID-19 pandemic affected many industries globally, 5 including the eyewear industry, which had 11% decline, and suffered losses in retail value sales of around provider. 11,12,13 Optometry practice serve as primary eye care facilities and a first point of contact for all vision related issues in countries where it is regulated. 14 Optometrists are eye care practitioners in Nigeria who carry out comprehensive eye examinations, diagnose eye defects and diseases, correct refractive errors and binocularity anomalies by prescribing spectacles and contact lenses, render visual first aid, and treat minor eye diseases that do not pose a threat to the integrity of the optical system, by using pharmacological agents.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Experience of Managers of Private Optometry Practice during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria.

Osayamwen¹

2022

Jrnl Nig Opto Assoc.

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Purpose: To provide an in-depth understanding of the experience of managers of private optometry practice in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: The study adopted a qualitative research design with a phenomenological research strategy. Through semi-structured interviews, the experiences of six managers of private optometry practice in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic were studied and thematically analysed.Results: Data collected through the interviews identified interesting themes and sub-themes. ‘Impact of COVID-19’ emerged as a central theme, while ‘workplace safety’, ‘reduced income’, ‘digital integration’, ‘supply chain and staffing issues’ emerged as sub-themes. The result shows that the participants faced challenges such as the cost of maintaining a safe working space, reduced income, supply chain and staffing issues. The need for digital integration in private optometry practice, versatile staff, and the diversification of supplier networks emerged as key strategies to overcoming the challenges.Conclusion: Managers of private optometry practice have been faced with some challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study has identified strategies that can help minimise the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other future crises.

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“…Similarly, optometrists are trained to recognise clinical situations which do not require intervention and those that necessitate periodic review due to risk of visual or systemic morbidity. Thus, there has been a growing interest in inter‐professional collaborative care, especially schemes capitalising on the skills of allied health, to address the needs of an increasingly aged population in developed nations, the expectation of maintaining good health, the wait times to see a specialist, and resource limitations . Efficiency in eye‐care delivery is the goal whereby each patient sees the right professional at the right time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The advantages of intermediate‐tier, inter‐optometric referral of low risk pigmented lesions

Nivison‐Smith

Hennessy

et al. 2017

Ophthalmic Physiologic Optic

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Purpose: Pigmented ocular lesions are commonly encountered by eye-care professionals, and range from benign to sight or life-threatening. After identifying a lesion, the primary care professional must establish the likely diagnosis and decide either to reassure, to monitor or to refer. The increasing use of ocular imaging technologies has contributed to an increase in the detection rate of pigmented lesions and a higher number of referrals, which may challenge existing pathways of health-care delivery. Specialist services may be over-burdened by referring all patients with pigmented lesions for an opinion, while inter-optometric referrals are underutilised. The aim of this study was to describe the referral patterns of pigmented lesions to an optometry led intermediate-tier collaborative care clinic. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patient records using the list of patients examined at Centre for Eye Health (CFEH) for an initial or follow up pigmented lesion assessment between the 1/7/2013 and the 30/6/2016. Analysis was performed on: patient demographic characteristics, the referrer's tentative diagnosis, CFEH diagnosis and recommended management plan. Results: Across 182 patient records, the primary lesion prompting referral was usually located in the posterior segment: choroidal naevus (105/182, 58%), congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE; 11/182, 6%), chorioretinal scarring (10/182, 5%) or not specified (52/182, 29%). Referrals described a specific request for ocular imaging in 25 instances (14%). The number of cases with a non-specific diagnosis was reduced after intermediate-tier care assessment (from 29% to 10%), while the number of diagnoses with less common conditions rose (from 2% to 21%). There was a 2% false positive referral rate to intermediatetier care and a first visit discharge rate of 35%. A minority required on-referral to an ophthalmologist (22/182, 12%), either for unrelated incidental ocular findings, or suspicious choroidal naevi. Conditions most amenable to optometric follow up included: 1) chorioretinal scarring, 2) choroidal naevus, and 3) CHRPE. Conclusions: Intermediate-tier optometric eye-care in pigmented lesions (following opportunistic primary care screening) has the potential to reduce the number of cases with non-specific diagnoses and to increase those with less common diagnoses. The majority of cases seen under this intermediate-tier model required only ongoing optometric surveillance.

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The role of optometry in collaborative eye care

Cited by 4 publications

References 24 publications

Genetic testing and gene therapy in retinal diseases: Knowledge and perceptions of optometrists in Australia and New Zealand

Genetic testing and gene therapy in retinal diseases: Knowledge and perceptions of optometrists in Australia and New Zealand

The Experience of Managers of Private Optometry Practice during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria.

The advantages of intermediate‐tier, inter‐optometric referral of low risk pigmented lesions

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