ArticleBMJ open2024
What are the experiences of teleophthalmology in optometric referral pathways? A qualitative interview study with patients and clinicians.
Article in BMJ open, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.
What it found
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The trial behind it
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed.
- Tele-ophthalmology-enabled and artificial intelligence-ready referral pathway for community optometry referrals of retinal disease: HERMES cluster randomised trial with a diagnostic accuracy study.Health technology assessment (Winchester, England) · 2025Trial
- Evaluation of the Community Urgent Eyecare Service in Greater Manchester, Including the Impact of Independent Prescribing.Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists) · 2026Article
- Improving Access and Reducing the Burden on Public Ophthalmology: Collaborative Telehealth Models Between Ophthalmology and Optometry in Australia.Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists) · 2026Article
- Evaluation of a Collaborative Telehealth Model for Eye Care Between Ophthalmology and Optometry in Western Australia.The Australian journal of rural health · 2026Article
- Artificial intelligence in ophthalmology clinical trials: a narrative review.Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie · 2026Review
- Telemedicine in ophthalmology.Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift (1946) · 2025Review
- Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveImplementing teleophthalmology into the optometric referral pathway may ease the current pressures on hospital eye services caused by over-referrals from some optometrists. This study aimed to understand the practical implications of implementing teleophthalmology by analysing lived experiences and perceptions of teleophthalmology in the optometric referral pathway for suspected retinal conditions.
designQualitative in-depth interview study
settingFourteen primary care optometry practices and four secondary care hospital eye services from four NHS Foundation Trusts across the UK.
participantsWe interviewed 41 participants: patients (17), optometrists (18), and ophthalmologists (6) who were involved in the HERMES study. Through thematic analysis, we collated and present their experiences of implementing teleophthalmology.
resultsAll participants interviewed were positive towards teleophthalmology as it could enable efficiencies in the referral pathway and improve feedback and communication between patients and healthcare professionals. Concerns included setup costs for optometrists and anxieties from patients about not seeing an ophthalmologist face to face. However, reducing unnecessary visits and increasing the availability of resources and capacity were seen as significant benefits.
conclusionsOverall, we report positive experiences of implementing teleophthalmology into the optometric referral pathway for suspected retinal conditions. Successful implementation will require appropriate investment to set up and integrate new technology and remunerate services, and continued evaluation to ensure timely feedback to patients and between healthcare professionals is received. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN18106677.
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