2017 National Optometry Workforce Survey

Procuring Gender-Situated Voices of Male Early Childhood Professionals in Canada

Across the globe the prevalence of men who work in the early education and care field is scant. This phenomenon is evidenced in the Canadian childcare milieu where male early childhood professionals constitute a modest fraction of the sector. At the nucleus of this are gender-situated scrutinization, role model binaries, and adverse occupational outcomes. Subsequently a Qualitative Intrinsic Case Study, rooted in a Social Constructivist Philosophical Paradigm, was applied to secure the voices of men who work in Ontario, Canada. Novel to findings of this study are the heterogenous reactions of family and friends, male role model disharmony, strategies adopted by participants to self-protect and avoid speculation, forgotten child voices, and nuances affiliated with working in a care profession. Participants of this study urge other male early years professionals and communities to intentionally probe this domain of study, with the aim to bolster male participation in the sector.

Will treating progressive myopia overwhelm the eye care workforce? A workforce modelling study

Purpose

Treatments for myopia progression are now available, but implementing these into clinical practice will place a burden on the eye care workforce. This study estimated the full‐time equivalent (FTE) workforce required to implement myopia control treatments in the UK and Ireland.

Methods

To estimate the number of 6‐ to 21‐year‐olds with myopia, two models utilising separate data sources were developed. The examination‐based model used: (1) the number of primary care eye examinations conducted annually and (2) the proportion of these that are for myopic young people. The prevalence‐based model used epidemiological data on the age‐specific prevalence of myopia. The proportion of myopic young people progressing ≥0.25 dioptres (D)/year or ≥0.50 D/year was obtained from Irish electronic health records and the recommended review schedule from clinical management guidelines.

Results

Using the examination and prevalence models, respectively, the estimated number of young people with myopia was 2,469,943 and 2,235,713. The extra workforce required to provide comprehensive myopia management for this target population was estimated at 226–317 FTE at the 0.50 D/year threshold and 433–630 FTE at the 0.25 D/year threshold. Extra visits required for myopia control treatment represented approximately 2.6% of current primary eye care examinations versus 13.6% of hospital examinations.

Conclusions

Implementing new myopia control treatments in primary care settings over the medium‐term is unlikely to overwhelm the eye care workforce completely. Further increases to workforce, upskilling of current workforce and tools to reduce chair time will help to ensure sustainability of the eye care workforce into the future.

Fitting of Orthokeratology in the United States: A Survey of the Current State of Orthokeratology

SIGNIFICANCE

The Fitting of Orthokeratology in the United States (FOKUS) survey provides information about the United States (US) OrthoK market. This independent survey is the first to attain detailed assessment of the OrthoK market.

PURPOSE

Develop and administer a survey to eye care providers (ECP's) in the US who are managing orthokeratology patients and those who are not to determine a profile of prescribers, patients and overall market.

METHODS

The FOKUS survey was administered and distributed online. Outcome measures of the FOKUS survey involved general categories of 1) practice and practitioner profiles, 2) clinical prescribing patterns, 3) patient profile, 4) products and marketing, 5) fees and 6) market size and growth.

RESULTS

The number of ECP's who are actively fitting and managing OrthoK patients in the US is approximately 3,000. 545 responded to the survey, 283 reported they were actively fitting orthokeratology. Orthokeratology is prescribed with the intent of managing myopia by 68% of respondents, 53% monitor axial length, and 61% start OrthoK patients at age 13 years old or under. The mean number of years a patient wears OrthoK is 7.8. A commonly reported complication with orthokeratology is corneal staining. Microbial keratitis (MK) is rarely or never seen by 86% of respondents. Of those currently fitting, 56% anticipate growth of orthokeratology fitting over the next twelve months. Of those not currently fitting orthokeratology, 46% plan to start within two years.

CONCLUSIONS

Orthokeratology represents a small but growing segment of the US contact lens market. The number of practitioners actively prescribing and fitting orthokeratology in the US is approximately 3,000 with high potential for growth within the next two years. Results of the FOKUS survey are relevant to practitioners currently fitting or considering orthokeratology, manufacturers, educators and researchers as baseline for future orthokeratology market assessment.