Pursuant to section 12 of the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003, the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board specifies the prescribed qualification for the Specialist Optometrist Scope of Practice – Ophthalmic Laser Surgeries, as described below.

Notice

• This notice is the Notice of the introduction of a new prescribed qualification for a new scope of practice, the Specialist Optometrist Scope of Practice – Ophthalmic Laser Surgeries, by the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board.
• This notice comes into force on 1 July 2022.

The prescribed qualifications for the registration pathway in the Specialist Optometrist Scope of Practice – Ophthalmic Laser Surgeries to include the following:

• To hold registration in the Optometrist scope of practice and not be subject to any conditions;
• To have worked in a hospital ophthalmology department for a Board approved minimum period as a clinician in the relevant cataract and/or glaucoma clinic (as applies);
• To have demonstrated their understanding and comprehensive knowledge in the following specified areas of competence for the safe delivery of ophthalmic laser surgeries to the satisfaction of their supervising ophthalmologist:
• comprehensive knowledge of the relevant anatomy and physiology of the eye and adnexa;
• knowledge of the physics of light and laser, and the penetration of light through ocular tissues;
• an understanding of the interaction of light and living tissue including thermal effects, photocoagulative effects, photoablative effects and photodisruptive effects;
• knowledge of the wavelengths and powers utilised in ophthalmic lasers for the specific surgery
• knowledge of required sterile techniques for performing laser surgery;
• knowledge of surgical procedure and specialised equipment;
• knowledge of the risks and benefits for each surgery;
• knowledge of appropriate management plans for adverse outcomes.
• To have satisfactorily observed a minimum of 20 Nd:YAG capsulotomies and/or Nd:YAG laser periphery iridotomies (as applies) being performed by their supervising ophthalmologist, attested to by their supervising ophthalmologist;
• To have satisfactorily and independently performed a minimum of 20 Nd:YAG capsulotomies and/or 10 Nd:YAG laser periphery iridotomies (as applies) under the supervision of their supervising ophthalmologist, attested to by their supervising ophthalmologist.

Dated at Wellington this 3rd day of May 2022.

ELMARIE STANDER, Registrar, Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Board.