Useful general information

Good practice tips for eye patient consultations

• Record best corrected visual acuity (patients' vision wearing glasses or contact lenses)
• It is good practice to check visual acuity for most patients who present with an eye condition
• Significant reduction in a patient’s visual acuity is a good indicator for referral
• Review patient history, noting allergies, medical and ocular history
• Always establish and record symptoms and their onset
• Refer red eye with vision loss or other signs of concern to an ophthalmologist for evaluation

Schematic diagram of the human eye

Cross section of the human eye

Equipment and drugs to keep at hand in your surgery

• Vision testing chart
• Good light source with magnifier (and, ideally, blue light source)
•  Proxymetacaine 0.5% with fluorescein 0.25% drops or fluoret strips and saline drops
• Chloramphenicol ointment 1%
• Cotton buds
• Eye pads
• Tape
• Direct ophthalmoscope
• Patient information leaflets