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Br J Ophthalmol 2005;89:1663 doi:10.1136/bjo.2005.075531
  • Letter

Optometric referrals: towards a two way flow of information?

  1. B J W Evans,
  2. D E Harle,
  3. B Cocco
  1. Institute of Optometry, 56–62 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6DS, UK
  1. Correspondence to: Professor Bruce Evans Institute of Optometry, 56–62 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6DS, UK; bruce.evansvirgin.net
  • Accepted 24 July 2005

Community optometrists in the United Kingdom carry out 17.2 million primary eyecare examinations per annum,1 which result in at least 0.5 million referrals to the hospital eye service.2,3 Optometrists only infrequently receive a reply to these referrals,4,5 possibly because 69% are handwritten on GOS18 forms,6 which can lack legibility6 and details.5 Most optometrist initiated referrals take place via general practitioners (GPs), who are increasingly likely to forward the optometrist’s letter.6 We improved our referrals and audited the replies.

Methods

The Institute of Optometry set minimum criteria for referrals in 2004 by typing letters on …

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