Back to Search
Start Over
Scope of optometry practice in Trinidad and Tobago: A cross‐sectional study
- Source :
- Health Science Reports, Vol 6, Iss 11, Pp n/a-n/a (2023)
- Publication Year :
- 2023
- Publisher :
- Wiley, 2023.
-
Abstract
- Abstract Background and Aim To report the scope of optometry practice in Trinidad and Tobago to identify areas that need improvement. Methods A cross‐sectional study of optometrists in Trinidad and Tobago was conducted using a validated self‐structured questionnaire. Data obtained was exported to the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Descriptive analysis and Pearson χ2 were used to summarize the demographic data and determine associations, respectively. Result A total of 63 optometrists participated in the study. Majority of them were females (69.8%, n = 44), Christians (65.1%), East Indians (47.6%), and 30 years and below (66.7%). Most (87%) of them utilized routine optometric equipment in their clinical practice including autorefractors, retinoscopes, direct ophthalmoscopes, lensometers, phoropters, slit lamp biomicroscopes, trial lens boxes, and visual acuity chart projectors. A few of them have noncontact tonometer (4.8%), Volk lenses (1.6%), and perform color vision tests (1.6%). Fewer (12.7%, n = 8) practitioners provided low‐vision services. The use of pharmaceutical agents was prevalent among the participants (55.6%). Additionally, the provision of contact lenses was the most frequently practiced service among the participants (85.7%, n = 54). A significant association was observed between the provision of low‐vision services and sex (p = 0.03). Conclusion The scope of optometry practice in Trinidad and Tobago is in accordance with the basic guidelines set out by the World Council of Optometry but there is need to get more involved in the provision of low vision and other specialty services.
- Subjects :
- optometrist
practice
range of services
scope
Trinidad and Tobago
Medicine
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 23988835
- Volume :
- 6
- Issue :
- 11
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Health Science Reports
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.051eb92460e4c13bd86882f4fa1915e
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.1667