Pharmacists and optometrists
Did you know Australian optometrists possess a range of clinical skills and can perform the following procedures including, but not limited, to:
- Refraction – measuring the optics of the eye
- Binocular vision tests – testing the coordination of the two eyes as a team
- Ophthalmoscopy – internal examination of the eye
- Slitlamp biomicroscopy – external examination of the eye
- Tonometry – measuring the pressure of the eyeball
- Anaesthetics to perform tonometry
- Mydriatics – dilated ocular fundus exams
- Cycloplegics
- Optical dispensing – supply and management of spectacles and contact lenses
Additionally, therapeutically endorsed optometrists can prescribe ophthalmic medicines – in the form of topical eye drops – such as anti-inflammatory and corticosteroid drops to treat eye diseases such as conjunctivitis, keratitis, uveitis and glaucoma.
As a pharmacist, you can direct your customers to an optometrist for many aspects of primary eye care that optometrists provide, including, but not limited to:
- Eye disease diagnosis, treatment and management, including red eye
- Diabetic eye exams
- Glaucoma medication repeats
- Colour vision
- Low vision
- Children’s vision
- Vision therapy
- Workplace occupational health and safety
- Myopia control
Effective collaboration between pharmacists and optometrists can enhance patient care, better utilise valuable ophthalmology time and reduce public hospital waitlists.
Pharmacists are welcome to:
- Use our ‘Find an optometrist‘ search to connect with your local optometrist
- Participate in our CPD events to learn more about eye health issues
- Recommend our Good vision for life website to your customers
- Contact us if you’d like to learn more about optometry and collaborating with optometrists
Resources for pharmacists