Editing Optometry (section)

===== Scope of Practice =====
In 1990, a survey of the opinions of British medical practitioners regarding the services provided by British optometrists was carried out by Agarwal<ref>Agarwal, R. (1996), British optometry: medical practitioner's opinion survey, British Journal of Optometry and Dispensing, 4(2), 50-52.</ref> at City, University of London. A majority of respondents were in favour of optometrists extending their professional role by treating external eye conditions and prescribing broad-spectrum topical antibiotics through additional training and certification.

Since 2009, optometrists in the UK have been able to undertake additional postgraduate training and qualifications that allow them to prescribe medications to treat and manage eye conditions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.college-optometrists.org/en/CPD/Therapeutics/independent-prescribing/index.cfm |title=Independent Prescribing|website=The College of Optometrists}}</ref>  There are currently three registerable specialities:
* Additional supply speciality – to write orders for, and supply in an emergency, a range of drugs in addition to those ordered or supplied by a normal optometrist.
* Supplementary prescribing speciality – to manage a patient's clinical condition and prescribe medicines according to a clinical management plan set up in conjunction with an independent prescriber, such as a GP or ophthalmologist or qualified optometrist.
* Independent prescribing specialty – to take responsibility for the clinical assessment of a patient, establish a diagnosis and determine the clinical management required, including prescribing where necessary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.optical.org/en/Education/Specialty_qualifications/Therapeutic_Prescribing_Specialties.cfm|title=Therapeutic Prescribing specialties|first=Liz|last=Carr}}</ref>

Optometrists in the United Kingdom are able to diagnose and manage most ocular diseases, and may also undertake further training to perform certain surgical procedures.