Just as the optical profession unites for its annual celebration of World Sight Day, the European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO) has launched the 4th edition of its Blue Book – to date the only resource that compares data on the status of optometry and optics across Europe.
The review, which contains data on 22 ECOO member countries and 9 non-member countries, points to steady progress in the evolution of the scope of practice and recognition of education, using as a reference the Global Competency-Based Model of Scope of Practice developed by the World Council of Optometry.
While there are several differences between countries, the scope of practice is evolving. In some countries, professionals can use diagnostic drugs and others have gained or are in the process of gaining recognition of their optometric professions, which in most instances is considered a health profession.
Despite these differences, a standard eye examination is similar across Europe and is regulated mainly through professional guidelines. For the first time, the Blue Book also includes data on whether professionals can test vision and prescribe spectacles to children.
“There is still some way to go to ensure the roles of opticians and optometrists are firmly established as primary care givers across all of Europe”, said Cindy Tromans, the ECOO’s president. “With COVID-19, there was a recognition that the two professions could contribute to taking some of the pressure off health systems and ensure continuity of eye care. The only way forward is to invest in a well-educated and skilled workforce that can ensure timely diagnosis of eye conditions and access to care, and opticians and optometrists are eager to play their full role.”
To read a copy of the ECOO’s Blue Book, click here.
Topic: Optical News
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