ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – 9th June, 2014……Following representation to the Government of Antigua-Barbuda by CCB-Eye Care Caribbean (in 2010) the government passed a series of Cabinet Decisions, clearing the way for the introduction of Refractionists in the public health services. Refractionists provide eye health services described at level 1 of the global scope of practice approved by the World Council Of Optometry. They are trained to: Screen for eye diseases; Undertake eye health education; Refer patients indicating conditions which may require ,medical and or surgical interventions; Perform refractive services; and prescribe-fit spectacles and low vision appliances. Consistent with WCO’s Level (i) scope of practice: Refractionists do not perform invasive diagno stic, prescriptive or dispensing services. As such, their work poses no: Pharmacological, medical or surgical risks to their patients.
currently, six countries in CARICOM employ Refractionists to provide eye health services in the public sector. These include: Antigua & Barbuda; The Commonwealth Of Dominica; The Republic Of Guyana; Jamaica; St. Lucia and The Republic Of Suriname. In addition to those Refractionists currently working in the eye health sector across the Caribbean; A further 11 Refraction students are currently in training at the University Of Guyana. The 11 candidates are from 3 countries: Antigua and Barbuda (2) Haiti (3) and Jamaica (6). They will join the practice (across the Caribbean) in the first quarter of 2015. A further 30 applications from 4 countries (including St. Kitts, and St. Vincent & The Grenadines) are pending vetting and (possible) admission to future training cohorts.
The “Right To Sight” partnership between the Government and People of Antigua & Barbuda and CCB-Eye Care Caribbean, will lead to the placement of Refractionists in 9 major health centres (across Antigua-Barbuda) including at: All Saints; Cedar Grove, The Villa Area and the Hannah Thomas Hospital in Barbuda. Under the programme: Government provides physical space, staffing and support services; While CCB-Eye Care Caribbean: Retrofits available space; Provides scholarships to designated personnel; Equips the Vision Centres and provides all recurrent supplies and equipment maintenance services.
Since their launch in December of last year, the 3 community vision centres (Grays Farm, Claire Hall and Johnsons Point) have booked more than 9 thousand patients; Examined just over seven thousand and prescribed more than 3 thousand pairs of spectacles. To date, CCB-Eye Care Caribbean has spent or committed just over EC $2 million to develop the programme in Antigua and Barbuda; While patients have paid just over four hundred thousand dollars for their spectacles. Students and elderly persons who are unable to contribute to the cost of their spectacles; and who are referred, receive their spectacles free of cost.
The programme is expected to be self-sustaining and should begin to achieve equilibrium between income and expenditure within five years, subject to future recurrent and expansion costs.
