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The safety and effectiveness of optometrist delivered laser peripheral iridotomy

Eye volume 40, pages 512–514 (2026)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background

Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) is a commonly performed procedure resulting in a reduction in the risk of progression to Acute Angle Closure and subsequent glaucoma. Whilst demand for LPI has varied over the previous 25 years, non-medical clinicians have been increasingly utilised in the delivery of ophthalmic laser procedures. There is, however, a paucity of safety and effectiveness of optometrist-performed LPI.

Method

This was a retrospective study. The success rate was determined by the presence of a patent LPI at the first appointment post-procedure. Adverse events were captured from electronic patient letters from the procedure until the first appointment post-procedure.

Results

Two optometrists performed LPI on 105 eyes. Presence of a patent iridotomy was documented in 93% and 89% for optometrist one and two, respectively (n = 95). Transient adverse events were reported in four patients. The remaining 10 eyes underwent a redo LPI.

Conclusion

Optometrists delivered a safe and effective LPI service with low rate of adverse events and high success rates.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, York, UK

    Alexander Geoffrey Swystun, David Burton, Alison Edwards & Pouya Alaghband

  2. Hull-York Medical School, York, UK

    David Burton & Pouya Alaghband

Authors
  1. Alexander Geoffrey Swystun
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  2. David Burton
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  3. Alison Edwards
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  4. Pouya Alaghband
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Contributions

AGS: conception, design, acquisition and interpretation of data, drafting work, critically reviewing, and approval of the final version. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work, DB: acquisition and interpretation of data, drafting work, critically reviewing, and approval of the final version. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work, AE: acquisition and interpretation of data, drafting work, critically reviewing, and approval of the final version. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work, PA: conception, design, acquisition and interpretation of data, drafting work, critically reviewing, and approval of final version. Agreement to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Pouya Alaghband.

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Competing interests

PA is a member of the Eye editorial board. The other authors declare no competing interests.

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Swystun, A.G., Burton, D., Edwards, A. et al. The safety and effectiveness of optometrist delivered laser peripheral iridotomy. Eye 40, 512–514 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-025-04207-0

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