title: Determinants of primary care optometry.
abstract: The frequency with which visual problems, ocular disease, and ocular manifestations of systemic disease are experienced in private optometric practice are the determinants of optometry as a primary care profession. This paper describes the basic optometric services provided and shows that these services identify optometry as a primary care profession. A problem-oriented clinical record indicates by color coding the presence of the conditions diagnosed. A computer number assigned to each coded condition and programmed into the system facilitates data retrieval. The color-coded charts provide ready access for review of specific conditions, whereas the computer permits analysis of data concerning the frequency of each of the identified condition.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003201:Computers; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008501:Medical Records, Problem-Oriented / Q000592:standards; D008875:Middle Aged; D009907:Optometry / Q000592:standards*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014481:United States