Components of eye health checks provided by optician retail stores in Denmark.

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to report the components of optometrist-facilitated eye health checks in optician chain stores in Denmark.

Methods: In this survey-based cross-sectional study, we screened the 600 optician stores listed on the website of Fight for Sight Denmark and included optician store chains with more than 50 stores nationwide. The websites of each chain were reviewed to identify current trends in eye health checks, from which an interview guide was developed. Survey data were collected by conducting in-person interviews in three different optician stores from each chain.

Results: Five optician store chains were eligible for inclusion in this study. All but one chain included at least non-contact air-puff tonometry and non-mydriatic colour fundus photography in their eye health check. In two of the chains, telemedical evaluation was mandatory for all abnormal results found by the in-store optometrists, whereas telemedical services were optional in the remaining optician chains.

Conclusions: This study reported the contents and organisation of optometrist-facilitated eye health checks across the five largest optician store chains in Denmark. We found that the content of eye health checks differs between chains and that their results are evaluated differently. Standardisation of the area and development of guidelines may be necessary if optometrists are to play a role in eye health screening.

Funding: None.

Trial registration: Not relevant.