Knowledge, attitude, and perception about teleoptometry among optometrists in India

Dear Editor, Teleoptometry is emerging as a rapidly growing field within eye care, enabling virtual consultations, vision screenings, and routine ocular evaluations without requiring direct physical contact with patients.[1,2] With the deployment of telecommunication and imaging technologies, optometrists can remotely assess ocular health, thereby enhancing both convenience and access to care.[3] A recent systematic review[4] evaluating peer-reviewed literature on teleoptometry identified 27 relevant articles, of which only two were from India, highlighting the lack of region-specific data. Despite its increasing relevance, the reception of teleoptometry among Indian optometrists remains relatively underexplored. This study, therefore, aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perception of teleoptometry among optometrists working in India. A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted among optometrists across India from June to October 2024. Eligible participants included those with a four-year Bachelor of Optometry degree working in academic institutions, healthcare centers, private clinics, or optical outlets. Students and diploma holders were excluded. Data was collected using a pretested, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire (Supplementary file 1) distributed via Google Forms on LinkedIn and other social media platforms.A total of 370 optometrists participated in the study, with a majority (228, 61.6%) holding a Bachelor’s degree as their highest qualification. Most (195, 52.7%) had 1 to 4 years of experience. Clinical practice (216, 58.4%) was the most common setting, while 23 (6.2%) worked in research. Participants were primarily based in metropolitan cities (159, 43.0%), with fewer from rural areas (29, 7.8%). Table 1 presents responses to items assessing awareness and knowledge regarding teleoptometry. Awareness of teleoptometry was high (306, 82.7%), with common information sources being eye hospitals (70, 22.9%), optical companies (53, 17.3%), and the internet (50, 16.3%). However, only 72 (19.5%) had undergone training, and 103 (27.8%) had prior experience using teleoptometry. The most commonly known platforms were DigitalOptometrics (8, 9.2%), video conferencing tools such as Zoom/Google Meet (8, 9.2%), and eyeSmart EMR (5, 5.8%).Table 1: Responses of participants to items on awareness and knowledge of teleoptometryMost participants believed teleoptometry is feasible in India (303, 81.9%) and beneficial for optometrists (311, 84.1%). However, 304 (82.2%) felt that not all ocular conditions are suitable for teleoptometry. Similarly, 265 (71.6%) thought patients across all age groups cannot be effectively consulted via teleoptometry. Commonly cited unsuitable conditions included retinal and posterior segment disorders (79, 20.7%) and acute conditions/ocular emergencies (50, 13.1%). Fig. 1 illustrates participants’ perception toward teleoptometry. A majority agreed that teleoptometry could save time and money (66.7%) and enable faster task completion (63.3%). Over half (56.2%) felt it could facilitate the patient-optometrist relationship. However, only 31.1% believed it could replace traditional methods of service delivery. Concerns remained about availability and accessibility and potential for medical errors.Figure 1: Participant responses to items on perception of teleoptometryTeleoptometry is a relatively new and evolving concept in India. The current study revealed substantial awareness but a gap in in-depth knowledge. Most participants exhibited a neutral attitude and perception, highlighting the need for structured education and hands-on training to improve competence and confidence in using teleoptometry tools. Targeted programs are essential to promote a positive outlook among optometrists and support the wider adoption and integration of teleoptometry across India. Financial support and sponsorship: Nil. Conflicts of interest: There are no conflicts of interest.