A survey of the qualifications of ophthalmology nurses

A study was conducted to ascertain the numbers of nurses working in ophthalmology with appropriate qualifications. A questionnaire was sent to 168 ophthalmic nurse managers in the UK which revealed that a much greater proportion of nurses employed at grades I, H, G and F hold an ophthalmic qualification compared with those employed at grades E, D and C. Those nurses working at higher grades were far fewer in number, however. The results also indicated that the smaller the unit is, the less likely it is to employ nurses holding the specialist qualification. More funding and access to courses is recommended.