Transforming and Supporting Patient Care - Health Professions ...

325Chapter 13 – Profession of OptometryEach of these models presumed that working arrangements withophthalmologists could be introduced and become productive and effectiveways of providing patient care.HPRAC also considered measures that the COO is taking to prepare itsmembers for prescribing or use of drugs to treat glaucoma, and to improvetheir training and continuing competence.What Other Jurisdictions are DoingAlberta authorizes optometrists to prescribe anti-glaucoma drugs only in aconsultative, co-management arrangement with an ophthalmologist who islicensed to practice in Canada. 40 The Alberta College of OptometryGuidelines to Standards of Practice also require that the patient’s physicianmust be contacted when indicated, particularly when systemiccomplications of the ocular condition or its treatment are suspected. 41The Yukon authorizes optometrists to prescribe only topical anti-glaucomaagents to manage gradual open angle glaucoma, which affects the vastmajority of those with the disorder. In the Yukon, optometrists areauthorized to function only within a co-management relationship with anophthalmologist. 42New Brunswick authorizes optometrists to provide emergency prescriptionof anti-glaucoma drugs for angle closure or acute narrow glaucoma. 43Neither Nova Scotia nor Manitoba authorize optometrists to prescribe44, 45anti-glaucoma medications.Under Division II of Quebec regulations under the Optometry Act, 1991,Quebec optometrists may renew or change a prescription for anti-glaucomamedication. The optometrist must, however, prior to every renewal orchange, obtain verbal or written approval from the original prescribingphysician or from the physician designated by the original prescribingphysician. The optometrist must, in addition, write the name andprofessional permit number of the physician from whom consent wasobtained on the prescription. 46In Saskatchewan, members who hold a TPA certificate may prescribe agentsfor the treatment of ocular diseases and abnormal conditions with theexception of anti-glaucoma agents. Members who use and prescribe topicalcorticosteroid agents for the treatment of anterior uveitis must arrange forthe patient to be examined by an ophthalmologist if no improvement isnoted. The treatment of posterior uveitis is not permitted. 4740Optometrists Profession Regulation, Alta. Reg. 83/2003, s.11 and s.12.41Alberta College of Optometrists. Guidelines to the Standards of Practice.http://www.collegeofoptometrists.ab.ca/pdf/guidelines-sp.pdf.42Optometrists Regulation, Y.O.I.C. 1999/150 Subject: Prescribing topical therapeutic medicationsand removing superficial foreign bodies from eyes, s. (g).43Prescribing and Use of Drugs by Non-Physician Health Professionals: A Jurisdictional Review ofthe Profession of Optometry, (2008) HPRAC: 7.44Nova Scotia Optometry Regulations made under Sections 19 and 20 of the Optometry Act S.N.S.2005, c.43. http://www.gov.ns.ca/just/regulations/regs/optoregs.htm.45C.C.S.M. c. O70 Optometry Act.46O.C. 1025-2003, s.5.47Saskatchewan Association of Optometrists. The Optometric Professional Bylaws.http://www.optometrists.sk.ca/files/OptometricProfessionalBylaws.pdf.HPRAC Critical Links January 2009