Assessment of referrals to the hospital eye service by optometrists and GPs in Bradford and Airedale.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the content of referrals to a hospital eye department and describe differences between referring clinician (optometrist or GP) and referral formats.


METHODS
A random sample of 433 new referrals to Bradford Royal Infirmary hospital eye service (HES) during 2007 and 2008 were retrospectively analysed.


RESULTS
Three hundred and eleven referrals (72%) were from optometric practice and 122 (28%) from general practice. Optometric referrals were mainly for cataract and posterior capsular opacification (27%), glaucoma or suspect glaucoma (20%) and diabetic retinopathy (10%).


CONCLUSIONS
The proportion of referrals to the hospital eye service from optometrists appears to be increasing (1988: 39%, 1999: 48%, present study 72%). GPs mainly refer patients with anterior segment disorders, particularly lid lesions, based on direct observation and symptoms. Optometrists refer patients with a wide range of ocular diseases and include fundus observations and visual acuity measurements in their referrals. There is a need to inform optometrists of what content is required in a referral to the HES from GOS sight tests, at least for the common referral conditions such as age-related cataract and suspect open-angle glaucoma. Referral forms specifically designed for these commonly referred conditions are likely to improve referral quality.
Bradford School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK. c.j.davey@bradford.ac.uk
Christopher J
CJ
Davey
Clare
C
Green
David B
DB
Elliott
D002386:Cataract / Q000175:diagnosis; D004739:England; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005141:Eyelid Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000175:diagnosis; D006748:Hospital Departments / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007766:Lacrimal Apparatus Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009907:Optometry / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014792:Visual Acuity