Key Takeaways
- Optometrists are taking on expanded roles in glaucoma diagnosis and treatment worldwide, with broader prescribing and procedural authority in several regions.
- Regulatory restrictions, limited funding, and resource shortages continue to constrain glaucoma care in many countries despite advances in training.
Optometrists are taking on increasingly comprehensive roles in glaucoma diagnosis and treatment, although differences in regulations, funding, training, and access to resources continue to limit the scope of practice in many regions, according to a study.
The review examined optometric glaucoma practice across Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
A broad shift from traditional glaucoma case-finding toward more comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic care was noted.
In the United States, all 50 states allow optometrists to provide independent topical therapy, with a growing number also permitting laser procedures.
In the United Kingdom and New Zealand, optometrists with advanced qualifications can independently prescribe medications and perform an expanding range of laser procedures.
Europe and Africa show wide variation in optometric glaucoma care, as equipment shortages and the high cost of medications often limit clinical practice, even in countries such as Ghana and Nigeria that train optometrists to the Doctor of Optometry level.
The review also identified a “regulatory lag” in some regions, where expanded legal authority has not yet translated into widespread clinical practice.
Reference
Denniss J, Barrett BT, Cheloni R, et al. Global scope of glaucoma clinical practice for optometrists. Optom Vis Sci. 2026;103(7):e70088. doi: 10.1002/ovs2.70088. PMID: 42484499.
Related Content
