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Referrals and notifications by British optometrists
Author(s) -
Port M. J. A.,
Pope C.A.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
ophthalmic and physiological optics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.147
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1475-1313
pISSN - 0275-5408
DOI - 10.1111/j.1475-1313.1988.tb01061.x
Subject(s) - referral , optometry , medicine , headaches , glaucoma , fundus (uterus) , visual acuity , ophthalmology , family medicine , surgery
1031 British optometrists completed a questionnaire to give information on their rates of referral and notification to the medical profession. Data were collected in relation to the conditions concerned, the age and sex of the patient, and the spectacle correction. Major causes of referral were cataract, glaucoma, fundus changes, headaches/migraine/eye pain and lowered visual acuity; 6.5% of all patients seen were referred to their general medical practitioner notified, and of this group it was estimated that 25–30% could have managed with reading glasses which comprised spherical lenses of equal power. If such glasses could be self‐selected, without reference to a medical practitioner or optometrist, a significant number of people would not would not benefit from the health screening aspects of the eye examination.