Monday, November 9, 2026

9:00 AM - 9:15 AM

Ballroom 1 and 2

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Overview

Rosie Finlay

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Details

The demand for IVT injections continues to increase as the prevalence of retinal disease grows, placing significant pressure on ophthalmology services worldwide. Expanding the role of allied health professionals has emerged as an effective strategy to improve service capacity while maintaining high standards of patient care. This presentation explores the evolving role of orthoptic IVT injectors through personal experience across both the United Kingdom and New Zealand. The presentation will begin by outlining my journey to becoming an UK orthoptic injector. It will describe the structured training pathway, governance framework, and competency assessment required to achieve accreditation, together with the professional support provided through the British and Irish Orthoptic Society (BIOS). The scope of practice, clinical responsibilities, and professional boundaries necessary to ensure safe and effective patient care will also be discussed. It will focus on transitioning this extended role into the New Zealand public health system. It will describe the process of achieving competency within Te Whatu Ora, contributing to the development of local governance documentation, and establishing training, education, and ongoing credentialing processes for orthoptic injectors. A typical clinical session will be presented to illustrate the practical application of this role within a multidisciplinary medical retina service. The presentation will examine the wider benefits of incorporating non-physician injectors into medical retina clinics. Current evidence regarding increasing service demand, workforce pressures, and clinic efficiency will be reviewed, highlighting how trained orthoptists can improve patient flow, reduce waiting times, and enhance workforce sustainability as well as improving their own job satisfaction.

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Speaker