The Role of Optometry-Nursing Teams in Closing the Gap in Geriatric Care: A Scoping Review
Abstract
Background: The world's population is rapidly aging, and an unprecedented prevalence of chronic and comorbid conditions threatens functional independence and quality of life. Optometry and nursing are often considered discrete practice disciplines, but their potential contribution to collaborative and integrated care for addressing many of these gaps remains underexplored.
Aim: The goal of this scoping review was to map the existing literature regarding interventions and care models that incorporate the combined expertise of both optometry and nursing in the management of key geriatric syndromes.
Methods: A systematic search of electronic databases, namely, PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science, was made for literature between 2014 and 2025.
Results: The review found a nascent but promising body of evidence. The results of the study point to three specific areas of collaboration: 1) Falls Prevention, where the nurse conducts a risk assessment and medication review in consultation with optometrist on refractive corrections; 2) Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and vision impairment support where optometrist does the diagnosis and treatment, while nurses would provide psychosocial support and coaching; and 3) early signs of cognitive decline where optometrist can assess visual biomakers related to systemic health by nurses.
Conclusion: Optometry-nursing teams represent a powerful, patient-centered model for closing critical gaps in geriatric care. The current review aimed to summarize core components of successful collaborations and to present a conceptual framework for integration. Future research should focus on high-quality, quantitative trials to confirm efficacy and on developing standardized protocols for implementation.
Full text article
References
Alshrif, F. N. A., SHARAHILI, M. Y., Wasili, F. M., WASILI, S. M. J., Modawi, E. A. Y., ALKHAWAJA, M. A., ... & ALDHAFEERI, T. H. (2025). Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Management and Long-Term Care Approaches for Newborns with Birth Asphyxia: Clinical Guidelines for Healthcare Professionals. Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 2(2), 69-84. https://doi.org/10.64483/jmph-71
American Nurses' Association. (2010). Gerontological nursing: Scope and standards of practice. (No Title).
American Optometric Association. (2023). Care of the patient with age-related macular degeneration (Optometric clinical practice guideline). 6. 2000. National Guideline Clearinghouse.
Arksey, H., & O'malley, L. (2005). Scoping studies: towards a methodological framework. International journal of social research methodology, 8(1), 19-32. https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616
Bodenheimer, T., & Sinsky, C. (2014). From triple to quadruple aim: care of the patient requires care of the provider. The Annals of Family Medicine, 12(6), 573-576. https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1713
Chen, Z., Ding, Z., Chen, C., Sun, Y., Jiang, Y., Liu, F., & Wang, S. (2021). Effectiveness of comprehensive geriatric assessment intervention on quality of life, caregiver burden and length of hospital stay: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMC geriatrics, 21(1), 377. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02319-2
Collaborative, I. E. (2016). Core competencies for interprofessional collaborative practice: 2016 update.
Court, H., McLean, G., Guthrie, B., Mercer, S. W., & Smith, D. J. (2014). Visual impairment is associated with physical and mental comorbidities in older adults: a cross-sectional study. BMC medicine, 12(1), 181. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-014-0181-7
Dillon, L., Clemson, L., Ramulu, P., Sherrington, C., & Keay, L. (2018). A systematic review and meta‐analysis of exercise‐based falls prevention strategies in adults aged 50+ years with visual impairment. Ophthalmic and physiological optics, 38(4), 456-467. https://doi.org/10.1111/opo.12562
E Eldoushy, E. (2022). Effect of Nurse-Led Interventions on Post-surgical Expected Outcomes among Patients with Cataract. Egyptian Journal of Health Care, 13(3), 1252-1267.
Fallatah, A. R., Hawsawi, A. M. T., Makrami, R. A. H., Makrami, M. A. H., Jaber, S. A. H., sweet Alanazi, K. S., ... & Al-Dosari, N. M. H. (2024). The Effect of Climate Change on Nursing: Climate Health Emergencies Preparedness Amidst Extreme Weather Conditions. Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 1(1), 123-130. https://doi.org/10.64483/jmph-54
Flaxman, S. R., Bourne, R. R., Resnikoff, S., Ackland, P., Braithwaite, T., Cicinelli, M. V., ... & Zheng, Y. (2017). Global causes of blindness and distance vision impairment 1990–2020: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Global Health, 5(12), e1221-e1234. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(17)30393-5
Gale, R. P., Mahmood, S., Devonport, H., Patel, P. J., Ross, A. H., Walters, G., ... & Jain, N. (2019). Action on neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD): recommendations for management and service provision in the UK hospital eye service. Eye, 33(Suppl 1), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-018-0300-3
Haddash, N. A. M. A. (2025). Therapeutic Potential of Plant-Based Dietary Interventions in Chronic Disease Remission: Mechanisms, Clinical Evidence, and Practical Implementation. Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 2(2), 53-61. https://doi.org/10.64483/jmph-32
Hamza, S. A., Adly, N. N., Abdelrahman, E. E., & Fouad, I. M. (2019). The relation between falls and medication use among elderly in assisted living facilities. Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety, 28(6), 849-856. https://doi.org/10.1002/pds.4775
Harwood, R. H., Foss, A. J. E., Osborn, F., Gregson, R. M., Zaman, A., & Masud, T. (2005). Falls and health status in elderly women following first eye cataract surgery: a randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Ophthalmology, 89(1), 53-59. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo.2004.049478
Hazazi, Y. O. (2025). Strengthening Postpartum Depression Screening and Treatment within Primary Healthcare Centers in Riyadh 1st Cluster. Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health, 2(2), 105-113. https://doi.org/10.64483/jmph-56
Keay, L., Ho, K. C., Rogers, K., McCluskey, P., White, A. J., Morlet, N., ... & Palagyi, A. (2022). The incidence of falls after first and second eye cataract surgery: a longitudinal cohort study. Medical journal of Australia, 217(2), 94-99. https://doi.org/10.5694/mja2.51611
Lee, J., & Kim, G. (2024). Self-reported sensory impairment and social participation among Korean older adults: mediating roles of cognitive function and digital technology use. Aging & mental health, 28(12), 1686-1694. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2024.2370434
Lim, J. K., Li, Q. X., He, Z., Vingrys, A. J., Chinnery, H. R., Mullen, J., ... & Nguyen, C. T. (2020). Retinal functional and structural changes in the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 14, 862. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2020.00862
Nasreddine, Z. S., Phillips, N. A., Bédirian, V., Charbonneau, S., Whitehead, V., Collin, I., ... & Chertkow, H. (2019). " The Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA: A brief screening tool for mild cognitive impairment": Corrigendum. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1111/jgs.15925
Palagyi, A., Morlet, N., McCluskey, P., White, A., Meuleners, L., Ng, J. Q., ... & Keay, L. (2017). Visual and refractive associations with falls after first-eye cataract surgery. Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery, 43(10), 1313-1321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrs.2017.07.029
Sayed, A. M., Kashem, R., Abdel-Mottaleb, M., Roongpoovapatr, V., Eleiwa, T. K., Abdel-Mottaleb, M., ... & Abou Shousha, M. (2020). Toward improving the mobility of patients with peripheral visual field defects with novel digital spectacles. American journal of ophthalmology, 210, 136-145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajo.2019.10.005
Tao, R., Lu, Z., Ding, D., Fu, S., Hong, Z., Liang, X., ... & Zhao, Q. (2019). Perifovea retinal thickness as an ophthalmic biomarker for mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, 11, 405-414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dadm.2019.04.003
Thongyost, P., Malathum, P., Pookboonmee, R., Detprapon, M., Satitvipawee, P., & Somboonthanakij, S. (2023). Effectiveness of a self-and family management support program among older people with diabetic retinopathy and visual impairment: A randomized controlled trial. Pacific Rim International Journal of Nursing Research, 27(1), 105-120. https://doi.org/10.60099/prijnr.2023.260336
Wan, K., Lau, K. H., Wong, H. Y., Yu, W. Y., Cheong, A. M. Y., Chung, E. Y. H., ... & Leung, T. W. (2024). Fostering holistic eye care for children with special educational needs: an interprofessional education program bridging optometry and education. BMC medical education, 24(1), 1340. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06350-w
Wood, J. M., Killingly, C., Elliott, D. B., Anstey, K. J., & Black, A. A. (2022). Visual predictors of postural sway in older adults. Translational vision science & technology, 11(8), 24-24. https://doi.org/10.1167/tvst.11.8.24
Yap, A., Kho, A., & Ah-Chan, J. (2021). The outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed neovascular age-related macular degeneration in Palmerston North. The New Zealand Medical Journal (Online), 134(1534), 46-5.
Authors
Copyright (c) 2025 Abdulhadi Abdullah Ali Alshawakir, Bander Saqer Alanazi, Amnah Hassan Ahmed Asuni, Enter Bakr Takroni, Abdullah Amer B Aldosari, Nawdh Mutair Almajdi, Kamlah Saad Alshehri , Amal Abdullah Makrami, Mutaib Abdulrahman Mukhlid Alotaibi, Al Anoud Abdullah Al Qarni, Noha Abdullah Alanzei, Aisha Hamed Hamoud Aloseimi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.