Orthoptist replies

The article Visus writes has come to my attention and I feel it would be useful to respond.

Firstly, orthoptists have been referred to as non-autonomous practitioners. This is now not the case with orthoptists managing their own clinics and caseloads in addition to working as part of MDTs. The question of ‘selling’ applies to orthoptists that are working for private companies and therefore the use of medicines is not covered by NHS practice. This is the terminology applied to all professions using exemptions.

Secondly, the question of why orthoptists need access to cyclopentolate is raised. The ability for orthoptists to instil drops prior to a patient seeing an ophthalmologist would have considerable benefit for patient flow throughout a paediatric clinic. In addition, if an orthoptist identifies a patient who needs refracting at their next appointment they could supply cyclopentolate to the parent to instil an hour before the refraction thereby reducing waiting times in clinic. This is especially important for darker eyed patients who take longer to dilate.