Blood pressure measurement by eye care practitioners

We surveyed a random sample of 250 optometrists (OD) and 250 ophthalmologists (MD) in November 1991 to determine if they were involved in blood pressure measurement. A 50.4 percent and 34.8 percent response rate was obtained from ODs and MDs, respectively. Of those responding, 85 percent of the optometrists and 87 percent of the ophthalmologists reported that they did routinely question their patients about blood pressure, while 65.9 percent of the optometrists and 94.2 percent of the ophthalmologists reported owning blood pressure measurement equipment. Of those owning blood-pressure measuring equipment, approximately 20 percent of both professions reported measuring blood pressure on patients with a defined set of historical or observed risk factors. More optometrists should own blood pressure measurement equipment and measure blood pressure on a routine basis. The detection, referral, and co-management of hypertension by optometrists is important in providing primary health care.