Should optometrists be able to certify patients for visual impairment?

There are several reasons why suitably experienced optometrists might be allowed to certify patients as being sight impaired or severely sight impaired. This article takes a look at the arguments and then shows the results of a recent pilot study of what Scottish ophthalmologists think about such a proposed change. 

Certification and subsequent registration for sight impairment or severe sight impairment (SI/SSI) is an important turning point for patients in terms of accepting their visual loss and receiving support.  

Ophthalmologists and patients recognise the importance of early intervention and timely certification.^{1, 2} However, in practice, this may not always be possible due to a number of challenges.