Eye conditions already managed by majority

Most optometrists are already managing non-sight-threatening eye conditions in everyday practice but major barriers to an extended prescribing role remain. These are among the results of the Scope of Therapeutic Practice survey, conducted for the College of Optometrists by City University and released this week.

Professor John Lawrenson and colleagues from the university's Centre for Allied Health Professions Research surveyed 5,284 practising members of the College in July and August last year. A total of 1,288 replies were received, a response rate of 25 per cent.

The web-based survey investigated the scope of current therapeutic practice, attitudes to extended prescribing and training. Common conditions such as dry eye, blepharitis and conjunctivitis were currently managed by up to 96 per cent of respondents. Over-the-counter medicines were the therapeutic agents most often used but just over half (55 per cent) supplied chloramphenicol.