OBA clarifies 4-months glaucoma notification by optometrists

Such notification was a condition of agreent reached last Novber to end the legal dispute between the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists and The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.In a statent by the OBA on 23 January headed ‘2014 Revised guidelines for use of scheduled medicines’, the OBA said: The board published the revised guidelines on 8 Decber 2014 that included a FAQ and fact sheet. The board would like to clarify that an optometrist endorsed for scheduled medicines who has made a referral to an ophthalmologist within four months of commencing treatment for chronic glaucoma can continue to treat a patient for chronic glaucoma if indicated. The treating optometrist is not required to cease treatment at the four month point if the patient has not been able to consult with an ophthalmologist. A clinical record is to be made that confirms the patient is still awaiting consultation by an ophthalmologist and treatment for chronic glaucoma can continue.