Sight loss affects more than a billion people worldwide, and much of it is preventable or treatable. Ophthalmic nurses play a key role, from eye casualty to theatre to nurse-led clinics, and in many countries they now carry out procedures once done only by doctors.
Imagine a woman with wet macular degeneration who was losing her ability to read. Every month, an ophthalmic nurse gives her an injection into the eye. A year later, her vision has stabilised, and she’s still reading to her grandchildren.
What ophthalmic nurses do
- Triage and treat eye emergencies
- Pre-assessment and care for cataract and other eye surgery
- Nurse-led clinics for glaucoma and other conditions
- Intravitreal injections, in some countries, after specialist training
- Teaching eye drop technique and supporting people with sight loss
How to specialise
- Join an eye unit, many of which train nurses without prior eye experience
- Complete specialist ophthalmic nursing courses
- Develop advanced skills such as slit-lamp examination
- In the US, consider certified registered nurse in ophthalmology (CRNO) credential
But is it all theatre?
No. Ophthalmic nursing spans outpatients, emergencies, wards, theatre and community, often with regular daytime hours and plenty of advanced practice opportunities.
Your next step: Visit your local eye unit or eye casualty and ask about shadowing. Seeing the variety in one day will tell you whether eye care is for you.
Sources: World Health Organization (World report on vision), American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses, Royal College of Ophthalmologists, Royal College of Nursing ophthalmic forum. This article is for general information.
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