This year’s National Optometric Conference has scored something of a coup after recruiting a senior figure from the California Optometric Association (COA) who will speak about the state’s imaginative service to glaucoma patients.

Tim Hart (pictured), the director of the COA’s government and external affairs, will close the conference with his address, and no doubt leave the audience with plenty of food for thought, not least because of new changes affecting optometrists’ scope of practice in the ‘Golden state’.

The COA was instrumental in helping to formulate legislation signed by California’s governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, that came into effect in July this year which granted US optometrists the ability to diagnose and treat glaucoma patients independently. Mr Hart will discuss the efforts made to allow the state’s optometrists to manage patients with glaucoma free from previous restrictions, so much so they are now termed ‘Glaucoma Practitioners’.

In its new system, California optometrists who qualified before May 2000 are required to take a 24-hour course in the diagnosis, pharmacological, and other treatment and management of glaucoma, with all pre-2008 optometry graduates required to treat or manage 25 patient cases for one year, which can be fulfilled under the guidance of an ophthalmologist or an optometrist who is already glaucoma-certified.

There is still time to book your seat at the event which takes place at Harrogate’s Majestic Hotel during November 26-27.

Call Linda Marriott on 020 7202 8166 or email her on lindamarriott@aop.org.uk to book – or book online via www.aop.org.uk.

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