The Nursing Times

Author: Prof Rupert R. A. Bourne, FRCOphth, MD, BSc, is consultant ophthalmic surgeon, Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Moorfields Eye Hospital and Addenbrooke's Hospital; and professor of ophthalmology, Anglia Ruskin University.

An outline of the training and assessment process that allowed an ophthalmic nurse practitioner to carry out a form of laser peripheral iridotomy

An ophthalmic nurse practitioner was trained to carry out Nd: YAG (neodymium: yttrium-aluminium-garnet) laser iridotomy on suitable patients. The nurse already had 10 years' experience of performing YAG laser capsulotomy, and the glaucoma consultant felt that performing laser iridotomy would be a natural extension to her role. It would not only add additional capacity (reduced waiting times and so on) to the provision of glaucoma care in the hospital, but also enhance the nurse's job satisfaction and give her new knowledge and skills.

The article explains how the role was developed, the patient pathway, the training involved in such an initiative and the results of an audit based on patients treated during the training period. It is thought this is the first scheme of its kind in ophthalmology in the UK.