The management of systemic hypertension in optometric practice.
OBJECTIVE
Systemic hypertension is a silent killer that may have very few warning signs. This study examines detection and management of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) by optometrists in the UK.


METHODS
A survey was sent out to 1402 optometrists who practice in the UK to investigate the nature and knowledge of detection of systemic hypertension.


RESULTS
The survey response rate was 37%. Optometrists were neutral to slightly positive towards the use of blood pressure (BP) monitors, but not on a routine basis. The most frequently asked question during history and symptoms concerned the patient's prescribed medication for systemic hypertension, and the least was that of specifying the last BP measurement. The additional test most widely used in the examination of the systemic hypertensive patient was direct ophthalmoscopy with red-free filter. Over one-tenth of optometric practices had a BP monitor, with automated devices being the most popular. Patients most likely to have their BP measured were suspect systemic hypertensives. Retinal haemorrhages are the most important finding in influencing an optometrist's referral criteria for suspected systemic hypertension.


CONCLUSIONS
Although optometrists monitor the retina for signs of damage from systemic hypertension, further education in this important condition is warranted.
Hurcomb
Peter G
PG
Neurosciences Research Institute, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK.
Wolffsohn
James S
JS
D000328:Adult; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009907:Optometry / Q000379:methods*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*