Paediatric community vision screening with combined optometric and orthoptic care: a 64-month review

We report a new model of community-based secondary vision screening and demonstrate that a high proportion of children can be effectively managed in such a clinic without referral to the hospital eye service (HES). We performed a 64-month retrospective study of a secondary vision screening clinic providing the combined skills of an optometrist and orthoptist in a community setting. Particular attention was given to the diagnosis and management of children not referred to the HES. During this period, 1755 children were sent appointments and 74% (1300) attended the clinic. The community orthoptist and school nurses referred 53% of the patients and health visitors, general practitioners and community medical officers made 32% of the clinic referrals. Spectacles were prescribed for 41% of the children and 8% were prescribed patching. Sixteen per cent of the children were referred on to the HES. This model of care using the combined expertise of the orthoptist and optometrist is able to diagnose and manage the majority of children who have failed primary vision screening and avoids unnecessary referrals to the HES.