title: Eye tests in the elderly: factors associated with attendance and diagnostic yield in non-attenders.
abstract: Patients aged 60-75 years registered with one inner city general practice were sent a questionnaire asking when they last received an eye check by an optometrist. Of the 193 (77%) who responded, 110 (59%) had attended in the last 2 years, and 138 (74%) in the last 3 years. Males and those with mobility problems were less likely to have had their eyes checked. Seventy-seven previous non-attenders were offered an appointment with an optometrist and this was accepted by 34 (44%). These individuals showed a high level of ophthalmic morbidity. Discussion of optometric checks should be included in general practice health checks and the elderly surveillance programme.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Webster
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barnes
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D014787:Vision Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*