Collaborative care is the way forward

For over 20 years, Richard Johnson has worked as the principal optometrist in the ophthalmology department at Greenlane Hospital in New Zealand. Every day, he is witness to the benefits that this collaborative care approach brings not only to patients, but to the broader health system.   

‘Collaboration between optometry and ophthalmology in public tertiary care settings not only maximises patient experiences and efficiency, but it also improves inter-professional relationships at a national level.’

Richard has worked as an optometrist in various countries, including Australia, the UK, Austria and New Zealand. As well as working in the Acute Eye Service ophthalmology department at Greenlane Hospital, he also works in paediatric, glaucoma and medical retinal clinics. He is the past President of the Cornea and Contact Lens Society of NZ and was also a trustee of the Eye Bank of NZ.  

OA: What is your view on the effectiveness of collaborative care models? 

Richard: In Aotearoa/New Zealand, optometrists are playing an increasingly important role within public hospitals, especially due to an ageing population, and as a wider range of treatments options for ophthalmic conditions become available.  

Initially, optometrists in New Zealand were primarily employed in hospitals for their refractive, low vision and contact lens rehabilitative skills. However, as time progressed, and ophthalmology became more aware of optometry’s wide skillset, optometrists can now be seen consulting in a growing number of clinics.  

OA: What type of patients do optometrists see in hospitals? 

Richard: In particular, medical retina, glaucoma, corneal, keratoconus cross-linking, cataract assessment and emergency eye care – these all now have optometry input at major hospitals in New Zealand.  

OA: In what ways have you witnessed the positive impact of collaboration between optometry and ophthalmology on patient outcomes? 

Richard: There are several advantages to this model of care. Firstly, it has helped to reduce patient waiting lists, improve the delivery of eye care and expand the scope of practice of optometrists in New Zealand. Optometrists who work in hospitals can provide topical therapeutic treatment, prescribe oral medications for ophthalmic conditions and now, after Board approval and training, use YAG lasers for capsulotomies and peripheral iridotomies.

In May 2023, Optometry Australia convened a Collaborative Care Symposium to enable optometrists to share their experiences, learn from each other and provide insight into how their collaborative care models could be more broadly rolled out across the health system. Read more about the Collaborative Care Symposium here.