Browse by Optometrical Items
PREPARATIONS WHICH MAY BE PRESCRIBED BY AUTHORISED OPTOMETRISTS FOR OPTOMETRICAL TREATMENT ONLY
From 1 January 2008, optometrists accredited to prescribe under State or Territory legislation can apply for approval as PBS prescribers (authorised optometrists). Information for optometrists on becoming a PBS prescriber is available from Medicare Australia
The medications listed in this section are for prescribing by authorised optometrists only. Optometrists must not write PBS prescriptions for medicines listed elsewhere in the PBS Schedule.
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) is responsible for making recommendations regarding preparations for inclusion in the optometrist section.
Some products are included in more than one section of the Schedule. For a prescription to be eligible for subsidy, prescribers must ensure that they prescribe under the PBS only those medicines, and in accordance with the restrictions, listed for their practitioner type. Listing details for the same product may differ between sections and different PBS item codes apply for each prescriber type.
Optometrist PBS prescriptions are identifiable by colour, and include the words ‘PBS/RPBS optometrist’. Prescriptions must include the optometrist’s PBS prescriber number. The same optometrist prescription form is used to prescribe unrestricted, restricted or authority items. Only one item is allowed per form. Optometrist PBS prescriptions may include repeats.
Regulation 24 does not apply for optometrist prescribing. An optometrist cannot direct that original and repeat supplies of pharmaceutical benefits be supplied at the one time.
Authority prescriptions: Authority prescriptions for authority required items, or for increased quantities or repeats, require prior approval from Medicare Australia or the DVA for each prescription. (Refer to Prescribing Medicines — Information for PBS prescribers and Supplying Medicines — What Pharmacists Need to Know, for more information on authority prescriptions.) DVA approval for non-Schedule items is not available for optometrist prescribing.
RPBS: Optometrists approved as PBS prescribers may write prescriptions for supply under the RPBS. The list of optometrist medicines under the RPBS is the same as the PBS. There are no optometrist listings in the Repatriation Schedule for prescribing for veterans only. There is no provision for optometrist prescribers to request approval to prescribe items that are not included in the PBS optometrist list (non-Schedule items).
State and Territory requirements: Optometrists may prescribe medications as private prescriptions according to their State/Territory prescribing accreditation. The medicines which can be prescribed differ between States and Territories. It is the optometrist’s responsibility to ensure adherence to State/Territory law for all prescriptions (PBS and private) and additionally to all PBS requirements for PBS/RPBS prescriptions.
GENERAL STATEMENT FOR TOPICAL ANTI-GLAUCOMA DRUGS PRESCRIBED BY AUTHORISED OPTOMETRISTS AS PHARMACEUTICAL BENEFITS
Use the following guidelines to determine patient eligibility for subsidisation under the PBS for the following drugs prescribed by authorised optometrists:
- Betaxolol hydrochloride
- Bimatoprost
- Brimonidine tartrate
- Brimonidine tartrate with timolol maleate
- Brinzolamide
- Dorzolamide hydrochloride
- Dorzolamide hydrochloride with timolol maleate
- Latanoprost
- Latanoprost with timolol maleate
- Pilocarpine hydrochloride
- Timolol maleate
- Travoprost
- Travoprost with timolol maleate
By writing a PBS prescription, the prescriber is certifying the criteria set out in these guidelines are satisfied, and use is in accordance with the registered indications – refer to the current Product Information for details.
GUIDELINES FOR SHARED CARE OF GLAUCOMA PATIENTS
Under these guidelines, authorised optometrists who are approved to use therapeutic drugs in their practices and who have adequate professional indemnity cover, will be able to co-manage glaucoma patients in a shared care arrangement with an ophthalmologist.
Initial Referral to Ophthalmologist
An authorised optometrist who makes a provisional diagnosis of glaucoma is to refer the patient to an ophthalmologist for confirmation of the diagnosis and the development of a management plan.
Where clinically important delays are expected before the patient’s first review by an ophthalmologist, the optometrist should seek interim advice on the patient’s management from the ophthalmologist by telephone (or alternate means).
The patient’s consent is to be obtained by the ophthalmologist and optometrist for all aspects of the management plan, including the sharing of care between the two practitioners, and the communication of clinical information to the patient’s nominated general practitioner.
Patients being considered for anti-glaucoma therapy with a beta blocking agent should be assessed for any potential cardiovascular or respiratory risk by a medical practitioner (often the patient’s general practitioner), prior to initiating therapy. This assessment should be repeated if a change in dose of the beta blocker is proposed.
Once the diagnosis of glaucoma is confirmed by the ophthalmologist and a treatment plan is in place for the patient, the optometrist can perform ongoing reviews to monitor the patient and prescribe topical drugs under the PBS providing that:
- Periodic review demonstrates the treatment to be effective, and
- Changes to management are only initiated following consultation between treating practitioners.
Patient Management Plan
The management plan must be in writing and specify the following:
- All the agreed components of treatment including any drug therapy;
- Target pressures and action to be taken if these are not achieved within a specified time frame;
- An agreed approach to monitoring visual fields and optic disc imaging and action to be taken following changes in visual fields;
- Triggers for referral for more immediate ophthalmological and general practitioner review;
- Likely side effects from agreed treatment and the action to be taken to address these;
- An agreed schedule for patient review by both practitioners;
- Who is responsible for performing each of the required tests and the required frequency for performing them;
- An agreed method for timely communication of clinical findings and patient management between the two practitioners and the patient’s nominated general practitioner.
Ophthalmologists must be available for consultation by the treating optometrist and for consultation by the patient where that consultation has been recommended or requested by the optometrist.
The involvement of a pharmacist to provide medicines information, advice relating to administration and techniques to limit systemic absorption and side effects of ophthalmic medications is recommended.
Legend
- O
- Optometrist items
- OP
- Optometrist
| Prescriber Code |
Item Code | Name, manner of administration and form & strength | Max Quantity | No. of repeats | Pack size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OP | 5501M | ACICLOVIR OEye ointment 30 mg per g (3%), 4.5 g |
1 | 0 | 1 |
| OP | 5543R | BETAXOLOL HYDROCHLORIDE OEye drops, suspension, 2.5 mg (base) per mL (0.25%), 5 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5544T | BETAXOLOL HYDROCHLORIDE OEye drops, solution, 5 mg (base) per mL (0.5%), 5 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5551E | BIMATOPROST OEye drops 300 micrograms per mL (0.03%), 3 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5558M | BIMATOPROST with TIMOLOL MALEATE OEye drops 300 micrograms-5 mg (base) per mL (0.03%-0.5%), 3 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5563T | BRIMONIDINE TARTRATE OEye drops 1.5 mg per mL (0.15%), 5 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5534G | BRIMONIDINE TARTRATE OEye drops 2 mg per mL (0.2%), 5 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5535H | BRIMONIDINE TARTRATE with TIMOLOL MALEATE OEye drops 2 mg-5 mg (base) per mL (0.2%-0.5%), 5 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5540N | BRINZOLAMIDE OEye drops 10 mg per mL (1%), 5 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5562R | BRINZOLAMIDE with TIMOLOL MALEATE OEye drops 10 mg-5 mg (base) per mL (1%-0.5%), 5 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5503P | CARBOMER OEye gel 2 mg per g (0.2%), 10 g |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5504Q | CARBOMER OEye gel 2 mg per g (0.2%), single dose units 0.6 mL, 30 |
3 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5502N | CARBOMER 974 OOcular lubricating gel 3 mg per g (0.3%), single dose units 0.5 g, 30 |
3 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5507W | CARMELLOSE SODIUM OEye drops 5 mg per mL (0.5%), 15 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5508X | CARMELLOSE SODIUM OEye drops 10 mg per mL (1%), 15 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5509Y | CARMELLOSE SODIUM OEye drops 2.5 mg per mL (0.25%), single dose units 0.6 mL, 24 |
4 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5506T | CARMELLOSE SODIUM OEye drops 5 mg per mL (0.5%), single dose units 0.4 mL, 30 |
3 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5505R | CARMELLOSE SODIUM OEye drops 10 mg per mL (1%), single dose units 0.4 mL, 30 |
3 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5510B | CARMELLOSE SODIUM OOcular lubricating gel 10 mg per mL (1%), single dose units 0.6 mL, 28 |
3 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5556K | CARMELLOSE SODIUM with GLYCERIN OEye drops 5 mg-9 mg per mL (0.5%-0.9%), 15 mL |
1 | 3 | 1 |
| OP | 5561Q | CARMELLOSE SODIUM with GLYCERIN OEye drops 5 mg-9 mg per mL (0.5%-0.9%), single dose units 0.4 mL, 30 |
3 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5512D | CHLORAMPHENICOL OEye drops 5 mg per mL (0.5%), 10 mL |
1 | 2 | 1 |
| OP | 5511C | CHLORAMPHENICOL OEye ointment 10 mg per g (1%), 4 g |
1 | 0 | 1 |
| OP | 5564W | CIPROFLOXACIN OEye drops 3 mg per mL (0.3%), 5 mL |
2 | 0 | 1 |
| OP | 5565X | DEXAMETHASONE OEye drops 1 mg per mL (0.1%), 5 mL |
1 | 0 | 1 |
| OP | 5541P | DORZOLAMIDE HYDROCHLORIDE OEye drops 20 mg (base) per mL (2%), 5 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5542Q | DORZOLAMIDE HYDROCHLORIDE with TIMOLOL MALEATE OEye drops 20 mg (base)-5 mg (base) per mL (2%-0.5%), 5 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5513E | FLUOROMETHOLONE OEye drops 1 mg per mL (0.1%), 5 mL |
1 | 0 | 1 |
| OP | 5533F | FLUOROMETHOLONE ACETATE OEye drops 1 mg per mL (0.1%), 5 mL |
1 | 0 | 1 |
| OP | 5514F | FLURBIPROFEN SODIUM OEye drops 300 micrograms per mL (0.03%), single dose units 0.4 mL, 5 |
1 | 0 | 1 |
| OP | 5557L | FRAMYCETIN SULFATE OEye and ear drops 5 mg per mL (0.5%), 8 mL |
1 | 2 | 1 |
| OP | 5566Y | GENTAMICIN SULFATE OEye drops 3 mg (base) per mL (0.3%), 5 mL |
1 | 2 | 1 |
| OP | 5516H | HYDROCORTISONE ACETATE OEye ointment 10 mg per g (1%), 5 g |
1 | 0 | 1 |
| OP | 5518K | HYPROMELLOSE OEye drops 3 mg per mL (0.3%), 15 mL (contains sodium perborate as preservative) |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5517J | HYPROMELLOSE OEye drops 5 mg per mL (0.5%), 15 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5519L | HYPROMELLOSE with CARBOMER 980 OOcular lubricating gel 3 mg-2 mg per g (0.3%-0.2%), 10 g |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5520M | HYPROMELLOSE with DEXTRAN OEye drops 3 mg-1 mg per mL (0.3%-0.1%), 15 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5521N | HYPROMELLOSE with DEXTRAN OEye drops 3 mg-1 mg per mL (0.3%-0.1%), single dose units 0.4 mL, 28 |
3 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5552F | LATANOPROST OEye drops 50 micrograms per mL (0.005%), 2.5 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5553G | LATANOPROST with TIMOLOL MALEATE OEye drops 50 micrograms-5 mg (base) per mL (0.005%-0.5%), 2.5 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5567B | OFLOXACIN OEye drops 3 mg per mL (0.3%), 5 mL |
2 | 0 | 1 |
| OP | 5523Q | PARAFFIN OCompound eye ointment 3.5 g |
2 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5522P | PARAFFIN OPack containing 2 tubes compound eye ointment 3.5 g |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5536J | PILOCARPINE HYDROCHLORIDE OEye drops 10 mg per mL (1%), 15 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5537K | PILOCARPINE HYDROCHLORIDE OEye drops 20 mg per mL (2%), 15 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5538L | PILOCARPINE HYDROCHLORIDE OEye drops 40 mg per mL (4%), 15 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5559N | POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 400 OEye drops 2.5 mg per mL (0.25%), 15 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5560P | POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 400 OEye drops 2.5 mg per mL (0.25%), single dose units 0.4 mL, 20 |
5 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5524R | POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 400 with PROPYLENE GLYCOL OEye drops 4 mg-3 mg per mL (0.4%-0.3%), 15 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5532E | POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 400 with PROPYLENE GLYCOL OEye drops 4 mg-3 mg per mL (0.4%-0.3%), single dose units 0.8 mL, 28 |
2 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5526W | POLYVINYL ALCOHOL OEye drops 14 mg per mL (1.4%), 15 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5527X | POLYVINYL ALCOHOL OEye drops 14 mg per mL (1.4%), 15 mL (contains sodium chlorite/hydrogen peroxide as preservative) |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5525T | POLYVINYL ALCOHOL OEye drops 30 mg per mL (3%), 15 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5528Y | POLYVINYL ALCOHOL OEye drops 30 mg per mL (3%), 15 mL (contains sodium chlorite/hydrogen peroxide as preservative) |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5568C | PREDNISOLONE ACETATE with PHENYLEPHRINE HYDROCHLORIDE OEye drops 10 mg-1.2 mg per mL (1%-0.12%), 10 mL |
1 | 0 | 1 |
| OP | 5529B | SODIUM CROMOGLYCATE OEye drops 20 mg per mL (2%), 10 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5545W | SOY LECITHIN OEye spray 10 mg per mL (1%), 10 mL |
2 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5546X | TIMOLOL MALEATE OEye gel 1 mg (base) per g (0.1%), 5 g |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5547Y | TIMOLOL MALEATE OEye drops 2.5 mg (base) per mL (0.25%), 5 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5548B | TIMOLOL MALEATE OEye drops 5 mg (base) per mL (0.5%), 5 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5549C | TIMOLOL MALEATE OEye drops (gellan gum solution) 2.5 mg (base) per mL (0.25%), 2.5 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5550D | TIMOLOL MALEATE OEye drops (gellan gum solution) 5 mg (base) per mL (0.5%), 2.5 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5569D | TOBRAMYCIN OEye drops 3 mg per mL (0.3%), 5 mL |
1 | 2 | 1 |
| OP | 5570E | TOBRAMYCIN OEye ointment 3 mg per g (0.3%), 3.5 g |
1 | 0 | 1 |
| OP | 5554H | TRAVOPROST OEye drops 40 micrograms per mL (0.004%), 2.5 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |
| OP | 5555J | TRAVOPROST with TIMOLOL MALEATE OEye drops 40 micrograms-5 mg (base) per mL (0.004%-0.5%), 2.5 mL |
1 | 5 | 1 |