A cross‐sectional survey of optometrists and optometric practices in Ghana

Abstract

Purpose

The study was conducted to profile optometrists and optometric practices in Ghana.

Methods

An online survey was conducted among 146 optometrists, who were registered with the Ghana Optometric Association (GOA). It included questions on their demographics, equipment, ophthalmic procedures routinely conducted and the barriers to providing a full scope of optometric services.

Results

Ninety registered optometrists (62 per cent) responded, their mean age being 28.97 ± 3.36 years. There were more males (68.9 per cent) than females and most had the Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree, the profession's highest degree in Ghana. There were more practitioners in urban centres (71.1 per cent) and most practices had basic optometric instruments, such as direct ophthalmoscopes, slitlamp biomicroscopes and retinoscopes. Many optometrists routinely conducted direct ophthalmoscopy (100 per cent), slitlamp biomicroscopy (87.5 per cent) and contact tonometry (55.7 per cent); however, few provided contact lens (10.2 per cent) and low vision (9.1 per cent) assessments, with 76 per cent stating that it was due to the unavailability of low vision devices, poor sources of contact lenses (27 per cent) and perceived insufficient training (11.2 per cent). Many practitioners (97 per cent) reported the use of diagnostic pharmaceutical agents and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents (96.6 per cent). Most practitioners (52.9 per cent) preferred conferences for the delivery of continuous professional development over publications (26.4 per cent) and internet resources (12.6 per cent).

Conclusion

The data elicited in this study provide a basis for addressing the country's unmet eye‐care needs and can be used to determine training and support guidelines for the profession.

Key words:

• Ghana
• optometric practices
• optometrists

Acknowledgement

The authors are grateful to the Executives of the Ghana Optometric Association for granting access to their database as well as participants who responded to the study. A special thanks to the language editor, Ms Carrin Martin for commenting on the manuscript.

Additional information may be found in the online version of this article at the publishers' web site.