Delays in access to care and the underutilization of professional expertise remain among the key challenges facing Finnish eye care services. A regulation issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health on 4 June 2026 removes the age restriction previously included in the list of pharmaceutical agents available for use in optometric practice.
In practical terms, the change means that optometrists will be able to use diagnostic pharmaceutical agents required for eye examinations on children under the age of eight, provided the examination falls within the optometrist’s education, competence, and scope of practice. The change is expected to improve access to appropriate eye examinations for children without requiring referral to a specialist in situations where specialist care is not needed.
The regulation will enter into force on 8 June 2026. It complements the regulatory reform introduced in 2025, when Section 16 of the Decree on Healthcare Professionals was repealed. That reform significantly broadened the scope of practice for optometrists, but the age restriction related to the use of diagnostic pharmaceutical agents remained in place. This restriction has now been removed.
The amendment also brings Finnish regulation closer to practices in other Nordic countries, where optometrists are able to use diagnostic pharmaceutical agents without comparable age-based restrictions. A notable difference that remains is the absence of referral rights for optometrists in Finland.
Patient safety is based on competence, not age limits
In Finland, optometrists are licensed healthcare professionals with extensive clinical education and experience in the use of diagnostic pharmaceutical agents. Their training meets internationally recognized standards and prepares them for contemporary clinical practice.
Removing the age restriction does not compromise patient safety. What matters is the practitioner’s competence, professional judgment, and ability to recognize situations that require further investigation or referral to an ophthalmologist.
“Removing outdated regulatory barriers is both sensible and effective. When optometrists’ expertise can be fully utilized in children’s eye care as well, access to services improves and eye care resources can be allocated more appropriately,” says Panu Tast, CEO of the Finnish Association of Vision and Eyecare.
Early detection benefits children’s development and well-Being
The regulatory change is particularly significant for children’s eye care. Many visual disorders can be corrected or their impact substantially reduced when identified at an early stage.
Vision problems can affect learning, functional performance, and everyday life. Ensuring timely access to appropriate examinations therefore has an important impact on children’s well-being, educational outcomes, and long-term development.
“The greatest benefits in eye care are often achieved before treatment even begins. The earlier vision problems are detected, the better our chances of preventing more serious challenges later on,” says Tast.
More efficient use of eye care resources
More than 30,000 people are currently waiting for specialist ophthalmic care in Finland, while approximately 1,500 optometrists are practicing nationwide. Their expertise could support the systematic delivery of comprehensive primary eye care services across the country.
Removing the age restriction will contribute to a more efficient use of healthcare resources and help ensure that specialist ophthalmic services remain available for patients with the greatest clinical needs.
The Finnish Association of Vision and Eyecare regards the amendment as an important step toward a more effective and sustainable eye care system—one that places greater emphasis on early detection, prevention, and timely access to care.
For additional information, please contact:
Panu Tast, CEO of the Finnish Association of Vision and Eyecare
Tel. +358 40 542 2227, panu.tast@naery.fi
