Optometrists and opticians are set to acquire expanded authority to manage various eye conditions typically handled by general practitioners or hospitals. This initiative will allow patients to access treatment for dry eye, severe allergy, and conjunctivitis from these professionals on the high street, aligning with the government’s strategy to decentralize NHS care. By enhancing the role of eye care providers in diagnosing and prescribing medications, the aim is to streamline patient care delivery.
Health Minister Stephen Kinnock emphasized the shift towards community-based care, highlighting the move to empower healthcare professionals within local settings. The proposed changes aim to unleash the capabilities of optometrists and contact lens opticians, simplifying the process for patients to receive treatment for minor eye ailments like allergic conjunctivitis without unnecessary visits to GPs or hospitals. This approach is expected to optimize hospital and primary care appointment availability.
The proposal will undergo a public consultation phase to gauge opinions on granting eye care professionals access to a broader spectrum of medicines for treating minor eye conditions. Optometrists conduct eye examinations, diagnose eye disorders, and issue prescriptions for eyewear, while opticians dispense eyewear based on existing prescriptions. The plan involves amending Human Medicines Regulations (HMRs) to enable optometrists and opticians to dispense a wider range of drugs.
Eye care professionals could soon be authorized to prescribe prescription-only medicines, including acetylcysteine for dry eye management, diclofenac sodium for post-cataract surgery pain, and azithromycin for bacterial conjunctivitis. Furthermore, medications like atropine sulphate and homatropine hydrobromide may be used to facilitate eye relaxation for accurate testing, particularly beneficial for children to potentially avoid hospital visits for eye examinations.
Dr. Paramdeep Bilkhu, a clinical adviser at the College of Optometrists, expressed support for enabling optometrists to supply a broader range of prescription-only medicines. This move is expected to enhance patient care for common minor eye conditions at local optical practices, reducing the need for referrals or GP appointments. By expanding the medication options available to optometrists, patient outcomes and experiences are anticipated to improve, especially in conjunction with acute eye care services.
This change is aimed at reducing the burden on A&E departments and GPs in handling various eye conditions, leveraging the specialized skills of optometrists for better patient outcomes and experiences.