What percentage of patients presenting for routine eye examinations require referral for secondary care? A study of referrals from optometrists to ophthalmologists

Clinical & Experimental Optometry : Journal of the Australian Optometrical Association
David DobbelsteynAlan F Cruess

Abstract

The aim was to investigate the percentage of asymptomatic patients presenting for routine optometric eye examinations that have pathology or pathology-related risk factors warranting referral for ophthalmological consultation. This was a retrospective, cohort case study and the inclusion criteria for participants included: (i) the patient presented for routine optometric eye care during a specified period of time; (ii) the patient was found to have pathology (or showed enough risk of pathology) resulting in referral to an ophthalmologist; and (iii) a referral report was received from the consulting ophthalmologist stating the diagnosis and the treatment plan. The data set was further reviewed to indicate presenting symptoms and patient age. Adult patients, ages 20 to 64 years, were reviewed separately; this age group is not covered by provincial health services for routine eye care in Nova Scotia. Files were obtained from two clinics through an electronic charting program. A database was created that included date of referral, clinical reasons for the referral, diagnosis and treatment plan. Clinical reasons for referral were extracted from the referral letters and reports and sorted into six disease categories: age-related macu...Continue Reading

References

Jun 8, 2004·Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology. Journal Canadien D'ophtalmologie·D David PersaudRaymond P LeBlanc
Dec 7, 2007·Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology. Journal Canadien D'ophtalmologie·Calvin W Breslin

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Citations

May 15, 2016·Clinical & Experimental Optometry : Journal of the Australian Optometrical Association·Michael Kalloniatis, Christina Ly
Dec 19, 2019·Clinical & Experimental Optometry : Journal of the Australian Optometrical Association·Jessie HuangBarbara Zangerl
May 19, 2018·Ophthalmic & Physiological Optics : the Journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists)·Elizabeth L IrvingMarlee M Spafford
May 7, 2019·Clinical & Experimental Optometry : Journal of the Australian Optometrical Association·Marlee M SpaffordElizabeth L Irving
Apr 2, 2021·BMJ Open Ophthalmology·Danson Vasanthan MuttuveluDawn Sim

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