Optometrists are making more thoughtful referrals

EDITOR, - D A H Laidlaw and colleagues' paper linking a reduction in referrals for glaucoma to a reduction in the number of eye examinations since the termination of universally free examinations omits some important factors.1 The article refers to the predicted number of referrals for glaucoma, although the actual number was on a par with the years just before the termination of the universally free examination.

Many optometry practices have stepped up pathology screening programmes in recent years. This reflects both the increased number of optometrists who have had training that places …