News

In a recent survey of optometrists, the Centre for Eye Health (CFEH) scored high marks for service, staff expertise and state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. With optometrists providing 75% of primary eye-health services, the survey results highlight that this new service is well placed to support continual improvements in detecting and managing eye diseases in our community.

Conducted during May and June 2010, the online survey, conducted by market research company EMC, was completed by 313 optometrists from across NSW and the ACT.

The survey revealed that nearly all those who responded (97 per cent) were aware of CFEH and over 90 per cent said they value the Centre’s large range of testing equipment, its staff expertise, free service and the availability of consultant ophthalmologists to review test results.

More than one-third of optometrists based in NSW and the ACT are now referring patients to the newly established Centre with most (98 per cent), saying it provides an excellent or above average service.

Respondents said they would be most likely to refer patients to CFEH if they were suspected of, or at risk of, having an eye disease – especially those who couldn’t otherwise afford the advanced diagnostic testing that is available at CFEH.

Centre Director Professor Michael Kalloniatis said he was pleased with the high level of awareness about the Centre and positive perceptions of its standard of service: "The survey reveals that a large majority of optometrists know about CFEH’s services and the appropriate types of patients to refer to us."

However, the survey suggests that CFEH needs to do more to educate and inform optometrists about patient referrals.

"There’s a mismatch between patient referral patterns for conditions such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy compared with their prevalence in the community," says Prof. Kalloniatis. "We are very excited about playing a key role in enhancing knowledge of detecting and managing eye disease within the optometry profession and assisting practitioners to provide improved patient care."

Optometrists were asked how important various factors were in ensuring they could continue to provide optimum eye care to their patients. Over ninety-seven percent of respondents said that the following factors were either ‘very important’ or ‘important’.

• Access to professionals with specialist knowledge;
• Access to information on the current thinking in best practice eye-care;
• Good working relationships with ophthalmologists;
• Access to latest technology;
• Continuing professional development (CPD).

In response to these results, Prof. Michael Kalloniatis notes "It’s clear that optometrists are interested in accessing the very same things that CFEH is able to provide. We directly cater to each of these priorities with our clinical experts on staff, assistance in triaging patients for on-referral to ophthalmologists, access to sophisticated equipment and regular CPD events."

Overall, responding optometrists gave CFEH a positive report card on key characteristics of the Centre based on their interactions to date, with 92% saying the Centre is innovative, 80% that it is knowledgeable and 76% that it is professional.

"This is a great start" says Prof. Kalloniatis "and we are looking forward to working with even more optometrists next year, and expanding our reach in the community, to help stop eye disease in its tracks."