A University of Otago study has found New Zealand’s growing shortage of ophthalmologists could be compensated for by a “rational division of labour” with optometrists.

Shared as a poster at the Royal RANZCO NZ’s Annual Scientific Meeting, the study by Drs Chuen Yen Hong and Hong Sheng Chiong, reported the country’s ratio of 33 ophthalmologists per million population is one of the lowest among high-income countries. Extrapolating the shortfall to 2050, the authors said eight new ophthalmologists per year are needed to maintain that ratio and keep pace with an ageing population and increased referrals due to improved disease detection.

With New Zealand’s 180.7 optometrists per million population, the authors said shared care will ensure quantity does not come at the cost of quality, if ophthalmologists “focus their expertise on operating, diagnosing and managing complex cases”.