The role of an optometrist in medical system of the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Background: In 2017 optometry specialty was established at Nicolae Testemitanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Republic of Moldova, decision approved by the Government (HG Nr. 482/2017). The first class of optometrists graduated in June 2021, and is going to be engaged in national primary health care. High prevalence of visual impairments and increasing incidence of eye diseases represent the premises of optometry establishment as a specialty in the Republic of Moldova. According to Vision Atlas, in 2020 in the Republic of Moldova, there were an estimated number of 830 000 people with vision loss, of these, 19 000 people were blind. In comparison with neighbouring countries (Romania, Ukraine), Republic of Moldova is distinguished by its higher prevalence of vision loss of 22%, followed by Ukraine with a prevalence of 19% and Romania with 18%. Thus, Eastern Europe faces a high prevalence of visual impairments compared to Western and Northern European countries. The prevalence of visual impairments is 22.4%, and blindness is 0.50%. In this context, the optometrist will have a vital role in the prophylaxis of visual impairments and the prevention of preventable blindness. Objective of the Study: To describe the role of an optometrist in the assessment of visual impairments; to assess the public’s knowledge and attitude regarding the new specialty. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, sociological study was performed, based on a populationbased random questionnaire. Observational, historical, statistical and comparative methods were applied. Public’s knowledge of the differences between ophthalmologists and optometrists was estimated. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 110 people, females represented 60.9% (n = 67) of the total number of respondents, and males 39.1% (n = 43). A similar distribution by genre can be noticed in the study Gaurav Dubey, 2019, with an inverse value. Participants from urban areas constitute 66% (n = 73) and from rural areas - 34% (n = 37). Their clinical profile showed previous spectacle or contact lens wear 59.1% (n = 65), other 40.9% (n = 45) do not have such experience. Therefore, more than a half of participants interacted with national ophthalmological medical system. The majority 74.5% (n = 82) of the respondents reported a high level of awareness of the optometry term, only 25.5% (n = 28) had never interacted with the given term. Respondents chose the exclusive responsibility of optometrists, in order to assess their knowledge of the differences between ophthalmologists and optometrists. The respondents when asked about the optometrist functions (multiple choice questions used), so (46.2%), thinks the optometrist prescribes spectacles and contact lenses; (26.8%) – sells glasses and chooses frames; (18.28%) – diagnoses eye diseases. Nevertheless, the wrong options as medical treatment of eye diseases (7.4%) and surgical treatment (1.1%) were selected as well. The connection between selecting wrong options and educational/economic status has not been established. Educational and professional status of the respondents determined a high level of awareness according to the results of the research. It is recommended to include participants with a more variable socio-demographic status, in order to ensure a higher representativity of the population in the next conducted surveys. These findings of the questionnaire seem to indicate only the general tendency among the society. Conclusions: Optometry as a health care field remains to be explored, as it is a new specialty in Republic of Moldova. The evolution of optometry is accelerated all over the world, however it is geographically dispersed. The study showed a relatively high level of public knowledge regarding optometry, among people with secondary/higher, medical degree. Also, there is an essential demand of more complex researches among people with variable representative sample.