{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,4]],"date-time":"2026-09-04T09:17:55Z","timestamp":1788513475764,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":25,"publisher":"Wiley","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,4]],"date-time":"2026-09-04T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1788480000000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,4]],"date-time":"2026-09-04T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1788480000000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/doi.wiley.com\/10.1002\/tdm_license_1.1"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Acta Ophthalmologica"],"abstract":"Abstract<\/jats:title>\n \n Purpose<\/jats:title>\n This study investigated the self\u2010perceived competence, knowledge, confidence and attitudes of the UK optometric workforce with regard to nutritional advice for patients.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Methods<\/jats:title>\n A validated questionnaire (NUTrition COMPetence) was used to survey the optometric workforce, which was adapted to UK optometric practice and nutritional guidelines. Distribution of the questionnaire was conducted online via social media, local optical councils, and personal contacts and sent to a random sample of members of the College of Optometrists UK. To better understand the sample, further information on educational background, years in practice and current roles were collected.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Results<\/jats:title>\n \n Two hundred and sixty individuals completed the questionnaire, of which 238 identified as GOC registered optometrists, with the majority working in a community setting (\n n<\/jats:italic>\n \u2009=\u2009189). Self\u2010perceived confidence in nutrition knowledge was [mean score (SD) 17.19 (\u00b14.11) out of a maximum of 35 points], nutrition skills [mean score (SD) 23.73 (\u00b17.80) out of a maximum count of 55], nutrition related counselling and communication [mean score (SD) 26.06 (\u00b16.82) out of a maximum of 45 points]. Attitudes towards nutrition care scored highest with 31.33 (\u00b16.06) out of 40 and was rated highest out of all constructs. Higher qualifications were associated with increased levels of self\u2010reported confidence and communication of nutrition information (\n p<\/jats:italic>\n \u2009=\u20090.015).\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n UK optometrists have a very positive attitude towards providing nutritional care. However, there is a lack of training which impacts confidence and ultimately patient advice. Within the current framework of the UK National Health Service and its focus to make every contact count, it is paramount to implement more nutritional training.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1111\/aos.70221","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,4]],"date-time":"2026-09-04T09:07:23Z","timestamp":1788512843000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Exploration of the relevancy of nutritional knowledge and self\u2010perceived nutrition competency of the\n UK<\/scp>\n Optometric Workforce"],"prefix":"10.1111","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-1369-3868","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Duane","family":"Mellor","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Nutrition and Dietetics University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust Leicester UK"},{"name":"Diabetes Research Centre University of Leicester Leicester UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Nicola J.","family":"Milhench","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"North Devon District Hospital Barnstaple UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7657-1788","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Rebekka","family":"Heitmar","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Centre for Vision Across the Life Span (CVLS), the University of Huddersfield Huddersfield UK"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,4]]},"reference":[{"issue":"10184","key":"e_1_2_9_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1958","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(19)30041-8","article-title":"Health effects of dietary risks in 195 countries, 1990\u20132017: a systematic analysis for the global burden of disease study 2017","volume":"393","author":"Afshin A.","year":"2019","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"issue":"12","key":"e_1_2_9_3_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare9121721","article-title":"Physicians' knowledge of clinical nutrition discipline in Riyadh Saudi Arabia","volume":"9","author":"Aldubayan K.","year":"2021","journal-title":"Healthcare"},{"issue":"1","key":"e_1_2_9_4_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjopen-2019-033443","article-title":"Nutrition competence of primary care physicians in Saudi Arabia: a cross\u2010sectional study","volume":"10","author":"Al\u2010Gassimi O.","year":"2020","journal-title":"BMJ Open"},{"issue":"6","key":"e_1_2_9_5_1","first-page":"706","article-title":"Development of a validated questionnaire to measure the self\u2010perceived competence of primary health professionals in providing nutrition care to patients with chronic disease","volume":"32","author":"Ball L.E.","year":"2015","journal-title":"Family Practice"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"599","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1444-0938.2012.00748.x","article-title":"Smoking cessation counselling practices among Qu\u00e9bec optometrists: evaluating beliefs, practices, barriers and needs","volume":"95","author":"Br\u00fbl\u00e9 J.","year":"2012","journal-title":"Clinical & Experimental Optometry"},{"issue":"5","key":"e_1_2_9_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"592","DOI":"10.1111\/opo.12150","article-title":"A survey of current and anticipated use of standard and specialist equipment by UK optometrists","volume":"34","author":"Dabasia P.L.","year":"2014","journal-title":"Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_8_1","unstructured":"Department for Public Health and Primary Care. (2019)Advancing our health: prevention in the 2020's. Available from:https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/819766\/advancing\u2010our\u2010health\u2010prevention\u2010in\u2010the\u20102020s\u2010accessible.pdf. [Accessed 12th June 2025]."},{"issue":"1","key":"e_1_2_9_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"27","DOI":"10.3390\/pharmacy7010027","article-title":"Nutrition education and community pharmacy: a first exploration of current attitudes and practices in Northern Ireland","volume":"7","author":"Douglas P.L.","year":"2019","journal-title":"Pharmacy"},{"issue":"4","key":"e_1_2_9_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0124533","article-title":"The self\u2010reported clinical practice Behaviours of Australian optometrists as related to smoking, diet and nutritional supplementation","volume":"10","author":"Downie L.E.","year":"2015","journal-title":"PLoS One"},{"issue":"2","key":"e_1_2_9_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"140","DOI":"10.1111\/opo.12280","article-title":"Comparing self\u2010reported optometric dry eye clinical practices in Australia and the United Kingdom: is there scope for practice improvement?","volume":"36","author":"Downie L.E.","year":"2016","journal-title":"Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_12_1","unstructured":"General Optical Council. n.d Available from:https:\/\/optical.org\/cpd\/introduction\u2010to\u2010cpd\u2010and\u2010registrant\u2010requirements.html[Accessed 12th June 2025]"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_13_1","unstructured":"Gov.ukAvailable from:https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/all\u2010our\u2010health\u2010about\u2010the\u2010framework\/all\u2010our\u2010health\u2010about\u2010the\u2010framework[Accessed 12th June 2025]"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_14_1","unstructured":"Gov.ukAvailable from:https:\/\/www.hee.nhs.uk\/our\u2010work\/population\u2010health\/our\u2010resources\u2010hub\/making\u2010every\u2010contact\u2010count\u2010mecc[Accessed 12th June 2025]."},{"key":"e_1_2_9_15_1","unstructured":"Gov.ukAvailable from:https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/what\u2010different\u2010qualification\u2010levels\u2010mean\/list\u2010of\u2010qualification\u2010levels[Accessed 12th June 2025]"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1155\/2018\/1657624","article-title":"Providing nutrition care to patients with chronic disease: an Irish teaching hospital healthcare professional study","volume":"2018","author":"Keaver L.","year":"2018","journal-title":"Journal of Biomedical Education"},{"issue":"8","key":"e_1_2_9_17_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1016\/j.rcsop.2022.100203","article-title":"An exploration of the self\u2010perceived nutrition competencies of pharmacists","volume":"23","author":"Kelly D.","year":"2022","journal-title":"Exploratory Research in Clinical and Social Pharmacy"},{"issue":"564","key":"e_1_2_9_18_1","first-page":"1","article-title":"Advice about diet and smoking for people with or at risk of age\u2010related macular degeneration: a cross\u2010sectional survey of eye care professionals in the UK","volume":"13","author":"Lawrenson J.G.","year":"2013","journal-title":"BMC Public Health"},{"issue":"5","key":"e_1_2_9_19_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"655","DOI":"10.1093\/ntr\/nty066","article-title":"Seeing new opportunities to help smokers quit: a UK national survey of optometrist delivered smoking cessation behavioural support interventions","volume":"21","author":"Lorencatto F.","year":"2019","journal-title":"Nicotine & Tobacco Research"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_20_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"718","DOI":"10.1111\/cxo.12528","article-title":"Self\u2010reported optometric practice patterns in age\u2010related macular degeneration","volume":"100","author":"Ly A.","year":"2017","journal-title":"Clinical and Experimental Optometry"},{"issue":"5","key":"e_1_2_9_21_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"394","DOI":"10.1080\/00050067.2021.1944788","article-title":"Psychologist attitudes, self\u2010reported competence and practice associated with the use of dietary interventions for children presenting for psychological treatment","volume":"56","author":"Nayda C.","year":"2021","journal-title":"Australian Psychologist"},{"issue":"3","key":"e_1_2_9_22_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"193","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1475-1313.2008.00551.x","article-title":"A survey of the scope of therapeutic practice by UK optometrists and their attitudes to an extended prescribing role","volume":"28","author":"Needle J.J.","year":"2008","journal-title":"Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_23_1","unstructured":"Office for National Statistics (ONS). (2025)ONS website statistical bulletin National life tables \u2013 life expectancy in the UK: 2021 to 2023."},{"key":"e_1_2_9_24_1","unstructured":"Raleigh V.(2021)What is happening to life expectancy in England?Available from:https:\/\/www.kingsfund.org.uk\/publications\/whats\u2010happening\u2010life\u2010expectancy\u2010england[Accessed 12th June 2025]."},{"issue":"5","key":"e_1_2_9_25_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1270","DOI":"10.1111\/hex.12101","article-title":"Pharmacist intervention in improving hypertension\u2010related knowledge, treatment medication adherence and health\u2010related quality of life: a non\u2010clinical randomized controlled trial","volume":"18","author":"Saleem F.","year":"2015","journal-title":"Health Expectations"},{"key":"e_1_2_9_26_1","first-page":"1","article-title":"Omega\u20103 fatty acids and eye health: opinions and self\u2010reported Behaviours of optometrists in Australia and New Zealand","volume":"12","author":"Zhang A.C.","year":"2020","journal-title":"Nutrients"}],"container-title":["Acta Ophthalmologica"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1111\/aos.70221","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1111\/aos.70221","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1111\/aos.70221","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,4]],"date-time":"2026-09-04T09:07:26Z","timestamp":1788512846000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/aos.70221"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,4]]},"references-count":25,"alternative-id":["10.1111\/aos.70221"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/aos.70221","archive":["Portico"],"relation":{},"ISSN":["1755-375X","1755-3768"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1755-375X","type":"print"},{"value":"1755-3768","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,4]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2026-01-22","order":0,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2026-08-05","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2026-09-04","order":3,"name":"published","label":"Published","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}}],"article-number":"aos.70221"}}