Nurse-led intravitreal injection clinics: defining the ophthalmic nurse's scope of practice and educational needs

Abstract

This article critically explores ophthalmic nurses’ scope of practice and educational needs when undertaking the intravitreal injection. This topic has been more widely discussed since The Royal College of Ophthalmologists recommended that injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medicines can be administered by non-medical health professionals ( Kirkby, 2013 ). The increasing pressure on eye departments to deliver intravitreal therapy in a timely manner for thousands of new and existing patients led to the consideration of the development of nurse-led intravitreal injection clinics ( Kirkby, 2013 ). An in-depth critical review of the literature demonstrates excellent outcomes and patient satisfaction from nurse-led treatments. When undertaking this advanced role, it is therefore important that nurses are given the opportunity to adhere to the Nursing and Midwifery Council's code (2008) and the Royal College of Nursing's ophthalmic nurse competencies (2012) to clearly define their scope of practice and educational needs. This article will offer ophthalmic nurses and stakeholders a discussion on the ophthalmic nurse's scope of practice, and how investing in nurse training will result in highly skilled ophthalmic nurses who are equipped to deliver a well-rounded service that results in benefits to patient care and cost-effective service delivery.