Optometrists could play role in cataract surgery, BCLA hears

Optometrists have a role to play in modern cataract surgery working alongside ophthalmologists in the operating theatre, according to a leading eye surgeon.

Speaking during a live surgery session at the British Contact Lens Association’s Clinical Conference (June 9), ophthalmologist Rajesh Aggarwal said that a significant part of femtosecond laser cataract surgery could be carried out by non-surgical staff.

‘Optometrists are the obvious choice,’ he said. ‘The way we would set it up is we’d have the optoms doing the femtolaser part of the procedure – the technician part – which is 80 per cent of the workload. We’d be in the theatre next door sucking the lens out and putting an implant in, and we’d have a rotating system.