A survey of paediatric visual assessment by optometrists in New South Wales

Abstract

Background: The importance of early vision care in the prevention and treatment of amblyopia is clear from an abundance of literature on visual development. Optometrists possess the necessary skills to detect and manage amblyogenic factors and thus have an important role to play in paediatric visual assessment and management. The present study investigates the role that optometrists in New South Wales are taking in paediatric vision care and the methods and strategies used in this role. Methods: Questionnaires were sent to 400 optometrists practising in New South Wales; 179 completed questionnaires were returned.

Resulte and Discussion: Our findings reveal a number of associations between practice characteristics (such as location) and the management of paediatric patients. In general, practitioners in rural locations, in full‐time practice or self‐employed were more likely to treat patients and less likely to refer them elsewhere than those in city locations, in part‐time practice or employed by others. In addition, our findings suggest the possibility of a changing pattern of collaboration between optometrists and ophthalmologists in the management of paediatric patients.

Key words:

• children
• NSW optometrists
• sensitive period
• survey