Finnish Opticians’ and Optometrists’ Perceived Competence in Managing Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Rahtu, Maria (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202601071104
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202601071104
Tiivistelmä
Purpose
The purpose of the study was to explore Finnish opticians’ and optometrists' perceived competence and available resources in detecting, monitoring, and managing dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and identify key areas for improvement.
Methods
A total of 129 optometrists from Finland participated in the study. Participants were recruited using online channels and professional networks. Data were collected in November 2024 using a specially developed online survey instrument and analyzed using quantitative statistical methods.
Results
The Finnish optometrists' overall competence in AMD care was perceived as fairly good based on the Likert scale (1 = poor to 5 = very good). Of the three competence subareas, attitudes received the highest ratings, while knowledge and skills were rated lower. Competence was also assessed across different clinical phases of AMD care. The detection phase received the highest rating, followed by the management phase and the monitoring phase. The results suggest that professional activities—especially the versatile use of diagnostic methods, advanced education, targeted training, active information-seeking, and clinical exposure through frequent patient examinations—are the strongest contributors to competence in AMD care. These results highlight the importance of hands-on experience, evidence-based practice, and continuous learning as key factors in competence development.
Conclusions
This study provides valuable insights into the competencies and resources of Finnish optometrists in dry AMD care. The findings indicate a need to enhance optometrists' skills through educational, clinical, and organizational measures, as well as enhancing interprofessional collaboration and standardized practice patterns. This would enable optometrists to contribute more effectively to AMD care, ultimately promoting more sustainable and patient-centred eye care in Finland.
The purpose of the study was to explore Finnish opticians’ and optometrists' perceived competence and available resources in detecting, monitoring, and managing dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and identify key areas for improvement.
Methods
A total of 129 optometrists from Finland participated in the study. Participants were recruited using online channels and professional networks. Data were collected in November 2024 using a specially developed online survey instrument and analyzed using quantitative statistical methods.
Results
The Finnish optometrists' overall competence in AMD care was perceived as fairly good based on the Likert scale (1 = poor to 5 = very good). Of the three competence subareas, attitudes received the highest ratings, while knowledge and skills were rated lower. Competence was also assessed across different clinical phases of AMD care. The detection phase received the highest rating, followed by the management phase and the monitoring phase. The results suggest that professional activities—especially the versatile use of diagnostic methods, advanced education, targeted training, active information-seeking, and clinical exposure through frequent patient examinations—are the strongest contributors to competence in AMD care. These results highlight the importance of hands-on experience, evidence-based practice, and continuous learning as key factors in competence development.
Conclusions
This study provides valuable insights into the competencies and resources of Finnish optometrists in dry AMD care. The findings indicate a need to enhance optometrists' skills through educational, clinical, and organizational measures, as well as enhancing interprofessional collaboration and standardized practice patterns. This would enable optometrists to contribute more effectively to AMD care, ultimately promoting more sustainable and patient-centred eye care in Finland.