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Referrals and notifications by British optometrists.

M J Port1, C A Pope

  • 1Department of Optometry and Visual Science, City University, London, UK.

Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics : the Journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)
|January 1, 1988
PubMed
Summary

Optometrists referred 6.5% of patients, with 25-30% potentially manageable with reading glasses. Self-selection of these glasses could reduce health screening benefits from eye exams.

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Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Optometry
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Optometrists play a crucial role in eye health assessment and referral.
  • Referral rates and reasons provide insights into the healthcare system's demands.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate referral rates and reasons among British optometrists.
  • To assess the proportion of referred patients who might benefit from self-selected reading glasses.
  • To evaluate the impact of self-selection on the health screening function of eye examinations.

Main Methods:

  • A questionnaire was completed by 1031 British optometrists.
  • Data collected included referral rates, patient demographics (age, sex), spectacle correction, and conditions concerned.
  • Estimation of patients potentially manageable with reading glasses was performed.

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Main Results:

  • Major referral causes included cataract, glaucoma, fundus changes, headaches/migraine/eye pain, and lowered visual acuity.
  • 6.5% of all patients seen were referred to a general medical practitioner.
  • An estimated 25-30% of referred patients could have managed with simple reading glasses.

Conclusions:

  • A significant number of patients referred by optometrists may not require complex medical intervention.
  • The self-selection of reading glasses could bypass the health screening benefits of a professional eye examination.
  • Ophthalmological screening during eye exams is vital for early detection of serious conditions.