Event report: Optometry throughout Europe

As with much to do with Europe at present, there is a lot of activity in the optometry world. The professions concerning optometry and optics are developing in most member countries and addressing the various challenges in each to ensure both clinical excellence and improving patient care. In this article I aim to summarise some of the key points from a selection of the various presentations during the conference. Look out for further features addressing the political and organisational evolution of European optometry.

Extended service role

Renowned authority in glaucoma detection and management, Dr Robert Harper (Manchester) opened proceedings with a review of the role of optometrists in community screening and referral of suspect glaucoma and ocular hypertension. He showed how enhanced services in the community had helped to significantly reduce false positive referral rates (10% reduction was cited) and how extended roles in hospital optometry were helping to ensure best use of resources in effective management. He later presented a paper supporting this last statement which showed how surveyed UK hospital optometrists (n=70) were now undertaking roles offering extended services in glaucoma (86% of respondents), macula (66%) and retina/diabetes (51%) along with other procedures including some laser treatments.