RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Detection and prevention of treatable visual failure in general practice: room for improvement?
JF British Journal of General Practice
JO Br J Gen Pract
FD British Journal of General Practice
SP 587
OP 589
VO 44
IS 389
A1 A Fink
A1 L Wright
A1 R Wormald
YR 1994
UL http://bjgp.org/content/44/389/587.abstract
AB An ageing population, the introduction of sight test charges and a problem that has never been adequately addressed since the inception of the National Health Service presents general practitioners with the increasing burden of detecting and preventing visual failure which they feel poorly equipped to deal with. Ophthalmology in general practice is a fundamental requirement for the reduction of avoidable visual failure and this is probably especially true for elderly patients and diabetic patients. A postal survey of general practitioners in Brent and Harrow suggests that there is potential for major improvements in the delivery of eye care by general practitioners, often without much additional expenditure (the equipment is there but it is not used) and with minimal training requirements. Simple changes in already existing screening programmes could potentially have an immediate effect on the visual well-being of the community.