Scope of optometry practice in Trinidad and Tobago: A cross-sectional study

Ngozika E Ezinne; Michael A Kwarteng; Selassie Tagoh; Kingsley K Ekemiri; Grace Ogbonna

doi:10.1002/hsr2.1667

Scope of optometry practice in Trinidad and Tobago: A cross-sectional study

Health Sci Rep. 2023 Oct 31;6(11):e1667. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.1667. eCollection 2023 Nov.

Authors

Ngozika E Ezinne¹, Michael A Kwarteng², Selassie Tagoh³, Kingsley K Ekemiri¹, Grace Ogbonna⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences University of the West Indies St Augustine Trinidad and Tobago.
² Department of Optometry, Faculty of Science and Engineering Bindura University of Science Education Bindura Zimbabwe.
³ School of Optometry and Vision Science University of Auckland Aotearoa New Zealand.
⁴ Department of Optometry Mzuzu University Mzuzu Malawi.

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 χ ² 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.

Keywords: Trinidad and Tobago; optometrist; practice; range of services; scope.