Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)
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Ophthalmic Physiol Opt · Jul 2021
ReviewFacilitators and barriers to the delivery of eye care by optometrists: a systematic review using the theoretical domains framework.
Evidence-based practice is fundamental to providing quality care, patient satisfaction and judicious use of limited healthcare resources. However, variability in evidence-based eye care delivery has been reported. Given the important role of optometrists in delivering primary eye care, a better understanding of the barriers and facilitators to providing optometric care is required. This systematic review aimed to identify determinants (barriers and facilitators) of eye care delivery by optometrists and interventions that may improve eye care delivery. ⋯ The barriers and facilitators identified in this review were diverse and located at both the practitioner and organisational levels. Four TDF domains were found to be influential determinants of eye care practice. Intervention functions identified in this study can be used to improve the appropriateness of primary eye care delivery.
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Ophthalmic Physiol Opt · Mar 2019
Accuracy of detection of patients with narrow angles by community optometrists in Scotland.
To examine the accuracy of referrals by community optometrists for suspected primary angle closure, including primary angle closure suspects, primary angle closure and primary angle closure glaucoma. ⋯ Community optometrists had good ability to detect eyes at risk of angle closure. There was also greater accuracy of referrals for suspected angle closure than for other glaucoma referrals.
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Ophthalmic Physiol Opt · Sep 2018
The relationship between unwarranted variation in optometric referrals and time since qualification.
To investigate variation in optometric referral decision-making and the influence of experience and continuing education and training (CET). ⋯ Gaining CET points alone is unlikely to significantly improve referral decision-making. Mentoring and targeted CET for the newly-qualified up to 2 years post-qualification should be considered. Ophthalmology replies to the referring newly-qualified optometrist are vital for moderating future referrals and developing clinical confidence.
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Ophthalmic Physiol Opt · Jul 2018
Glaucoma referral refinement in Ireland: managing the sensitivity-specificity paradox in optometric practice.
Glaucoma referral refinement (GRR) has proven a successful demand management strategy for glaucoma suspect cases in the United Kingdom (UK). A GRR clinic was established in Dublin, Ireland to investigate the clinical viability of this pathway outside the UK's National Health Service (NHS) structures, and away from the influence of National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance. ⋯ Of the patients seen within the scheme, 62% did not require referral onward to ophthalmology, thus releasing the significant majority of hospital clinic slots that would previously have been required to examine such patients. The high level of inter-professional decision agreement likely reflects the benefits of pre-scheme apprenticeship style training and ongoing hospital clinic participation by the scheme optometrist. The rate of loss to follow up compares favourably with ophthalmology led, hospital based, glaucoma clinics. Nevertheless, the losses indicate that patient education remains a key priority for future planning.
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Ophthalmic Physiol Opt · Jan 2018
Multicenter StudyIris colour in relation to myopia among Chinese school-aged children.
Understanding the association of iris colour and myopia may provide further insights into the role of the wavelength of lights in the pathophysiology of myopia. We aim to assess the association of iris colour and myopia in a school-based sample of Chinese students. ⋯ Darker iris colour was associated with more myopic refractive errors and longer ALs among Chinese school-aged children and this association was independent of other known myopia-related risk factors.