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Right to Prescribe Glasses for Orthoptists

Survey of students studying Orthoptics

Orthoptists are taught to refract but do no have the right to prescribe glasses. BIOS are compiling a report that will be sent to the GOC to present a case for Orthoptists to be allowed to prescribe glasses in the hospital eye service. This would enable them to be recognised within the Opticians act (1989) as a profession eligible to prescribe glasses and conduct sight tests for their patients in the hospital. BIOS would like you, as future clinicians, to offer your opinion on this right and its importance in your future career plans. To help us with this evidence we would be grateful if you could answer these questions below.
1.From your own clinical experience do you think patient care would benefit if an Orthoptist can prescribe glasses ?
2.Where are you studying Orthoptics?
3.Which year of study have you just completed?
4.Select your response to the following statement:
Being able to prescribe glasses would benefit my future career(Required.)
5.Select the type of clinical scenarios where patients would benefit most if their Orthoptist could issue them with a spectacle prescription during their hospital visit in your opinion?
6.Select the potential benefits for patients if an Orthoptist could prescribe glasses in the hospital, you may select as many answers as you feel are appropriate
7.Which of the following do you think would apply to the Orthoptist/ Department if they could prescribe glasses? You may select multiple answers
8.How likely is that you would undergo further training to be able to prescribe glasses after you qualify as an Orthoptist