Specialist Optometrist

Job overview

The Band 7 Glaucoma Specialist Optometrist will play a vital role in delivering timely, sight-saving care for patients with ocular hypertension, glaucoma suspects, and stable glaucoma. As an autonomous clinician within the multidisciplinary ophthalmology team, they will independently manage a defined caseload, reducing pressure on consultant-led clinics and increasing service capacity. The role includes advanced clinical decision-making, diagnostic assessment, treatment initiation (including prescribing where qualified), and safe discharge of appropriate patients to community care. This supports earlier intervention and helps prevent irreversible vision loss. The post directly contributes to maintaining income through delivery of high-volume, specialist activity and ensures compliance with NICE and RCOphth standards. Working within robust clinical governance frameworks, the optometrist will also lead on service development, supervise junior staff, and contribute to quality improvement and education. Their expertise and leadership are critical to sustaining a safe, efficient, and patient-centred glaucoma service in line with statutory and regulatory requirements.

Main duties of the job

• Conduct independent, evidence-based assessments of patients with glaucoma, ocular hypertension, or those under surveillance. This includes history-taking, slit-lamp exams, applanation tonometry, gonioscopy (if competent), optic nerve evaluation, OCT interpretation, and visual field analysis to inform diagnosis and management.

• Make autonomous decisions on initiating, adjusting, or stopping treatment, including prescribing topical IOP-lowering medication where qualified. Discharge appropriate patients to community care following clinical protocols, with clear safety-netting.

• Identify high-risk or complex patients requiring consultant or surgical input and escalate promptly for MDT review.

• Provide clear, accessible explanations of diagnoses and management plans. Promote shared decision-making and educate patients on adherence, symptom awareness, and the importance of follow-up.

• Maintain accurate, timely documentation that meets Trust, legal, and professional standards to ensure safe, continuous care.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

This specialist autonomous role is for a highly experienced ophthalmic nurse or optometrist within the multidisciplinary glaucoma team. The postholder independently manages patients with ocular hypertension, glaucoma suspects, and stable glaucoma under defined governance and protocols. Responsibilities include advanced clinical assessments, treatment initiation (including prescribing where qualified), and safe discharge to community care. The role demands expert knowledge of glaucoma management aligned with NICE and RCOphth guidelines. Additionally, the postholder contributes to clinical leadership by supporting service development, quality improvement, education, and supervision of junior staff. A strong focus on patient-centred care, professional development, and service innovation is essential.

Key duties include advanced assessments (history, slit-lamp, tonometry, gonioscopy, OCT, visual fields), autonomous clinical decisions on therapy management and discharge, risk stratification with timely escalation, clear patient communication and education, and accurate clinical documentation complying with Trust and regulatory standards.