To enable proper diagnosis of patients’ ocular ailments, a detailed preliminary investigation is a must. The sequential preliminary eye examination of a patient by an optometrist is as follows:

Preliminary Investigation

This preliminary examination is followed by a detailed posterior segment (fundus) evaluation by the Ophthalmologist. Based on the correlation of all the clinical findings, diagnosis of the ocular ailment (if any) is arrived at and managed accordingly.

Referral to the ophthalmology or optometric specialties is done as required,

Example:

1. Diabetic patients are referred to the Medical retina clinic.
2. Symptomatic Myopes and patients with myopia of > 3 DS are referred for a detailed fundus evaluation with medical retina clinic.
3. Patients requiring cataract surgery are referred to the cataract and IOL clinic.
4. Patients with increased IOP, narrow angles, occludable angles or any glaucomatous cupping are referred to glaucoma department.
5. Patients with any neurological problem, pupillary abnormalities or disc pallor are referred to neuro ophthalmology clinic.
6. Patients interested in contact lenses are referred to the contact lens clinic.
7. Patients requiring detailed binocular vision assessment are referred to the orthoptics clinic.