Expanding Optician Roles to Reduce Eye Care Wait Times and Prevent Blindness

A new study by Cardiff University reveals that enabling qualified local optometrists to manage specific eye health conditions could significantly improve eye care services. By shifting certain responsibilities from hospital-based ophthalmologists to trained optometrists within the community, the approach aims to drastically cut patient waiting times and reduce healthcare costs.

This research focused on common sight-threatening conditions such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and glaucoma, both leading causes of visual impairment in England and Wales. Currently, these conditions are primarily treated within Hospital Eye Services (HES), with demand expected to rise by 59% for nAMD and 22% for glaucoma over the next decade.

The study evaluated three Welsh regions where enhanced optometry services are already in place. Results showed remarkable improvements: within just one year, the number of patients waiting for nAMD treatment dropped from over 216 to only 3, and for glaucoma, from 5,691 to just 5. This shift not only reduced waiting lists but also ensured timely monitoring and treatment.

Professor Barbara Ryan, leading the study titled "Hospital to Community: identifying the value of optometrists monitoring and managing chronic sight-threatening eye disease in primary care," explained that providing these services through trained optometrists would not incur additional costs. Moreover, she highlighted that patients expressed high satisfaction, considering community-based care more convenient, especially in rural areas where hospitals may be farther away.

Timely diagnosis and monitoring are crucial in preventing permanent vision loss. The study suggests that empowering optometrists in primary care can lead to faster assessments for conditions like nAMD and glaucoma, reducing patient concerns and enabling quicker interventions. Over time, this approach could alleviate backlogs, cut waiting times, and greatly diminish the risk of preventable blindness due to delays.

Successful implementation requires clear communication pathways, sufficient resources, and cohesive coordination among healthcare professionals. Following the research, new legislation has formalized the use of enhanced optometric services across primary care settings, paving the way for broader adoption of this innovative model.

source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-opticians-slash-curb.html