[Preserving vision in the elderly: a survey to start a quality development program in general practice]

The study examined the rate of patients, who do not follow recommendations for routine screening, do not visit physicians for eye-symptoms and when suffering from diabetes or glaucoma do not adhere to follow-up. To what extent can primary care physicians impact on these deficits of ophthalmologic care? 4918 consecutive, > or = 40 old patients of 107 primary care physicians of 9 networks participated. Of these patients 15% had never, 43% not within the last 3 years, consulted an ophthalmologist. 16% were diabetics, 7% had glaucoma and 46% had observed subjective eye symptoms. A quarter of these patients turn to their primary care physician, when having eye problems. Primary care physicians do not frequently suggest routine ophthalmologic controls nor do they use diagnostic tools like the Amsler-grid or the Swinging-Flash-Light Test.