Optometry in a hospital setting.

This study was designed to determine the extent to which optometry has been integrated within the hospital delivery system in New York State and to determine the types of services rendered by optometrists in governmental and non-governmental hospitals. A survey was developed and sent to all hospitals in the State to assess which hospitals provided eye care and whether optometrists were on staff. The number of optometrists affiliated with a hospital has increased from 27% in 1978 to 43% in 2003. Virtually all (90%) of city, county, and federal government hospitals used optometrists as compared to 32% of voluntary hospitals. Optometrists were found to provide a full range of medical ocular services including treatment. Given the cost savings of using optometrists, hospitals should consider integrating this profession into their primary eye care services.