Coordination, Frequency, and Extent of Care
The diagnosis of a wide array of eye and vision anomalies, diseases, disorders, and related systemic conditions may result from a comprehensive adult eye and vision examination. As a primary care provider, the doctor of optometry can treat or manage most of these eye and vision problems. Additionally, they may coordinate care of the patient with other health care providers for certain ocular and nonocular problems detected and diagnosed during the examination.
The nature and severity of the problem(s) diagnosed determine the need for optical correction (e.g., spectacles or contact lenses); other treatment (e.g., low vision rehabilitation or vision therapy services); referral for consultation with or treatment by another doctor of optometry, the patient's primary care physician, or other health care provider; and follow-up evaluations. Data interpretation and the professional judgment of the optometrist contribute to decisions regarding appropriate treatment and management, including recommended follow-up examination intervals.
On the basis of the examination, the doctor of optometry may determine that the patient needs additional services. Intraprofessional consultation may be needed for optometric services such as treatment and management of ocular disease, low vision rehabilitation, vision therapy, and specialty contact lenses. Interprofessional consultation with an ophthalmologist may be needed for ophthalmic surgery or other aspects of secondary or tertiary eye care.
The comprehensive adult eye and vision examination may reveal nonophthalmic conditions for which the doctor of optometry may coordinate needed care. The patient may be referred to his or her primary care physician or another health care provider for further evaluation and treatment of systemic conditions or related health problems. Information shared with other health care providers offers a unique and important perspective resulting in improved interdisciplinary care of the patient.
Since the prevalence of ocular diseases and vision disorders tends to increase with patient age, the recommendations for patient re-examination are partially age dependent (see the Table below). The increased and unique visual demands of a technological society bring about the need for regular optometric care during the adult years. Although the prevalence of ocular disease is relatively low for young adults, vocational and avocational visual demands are significant. Thus, for young adults to maintain visual efficiency and productivity, periodic examinations are recommended. For older adults in whom the prevalence of ocular disease is greater, the recommendation is for annual examinations.
