LettersHow optometrists’ role in promoting public health goes beyond eye care, especially for the elderly

Optometrists screen for other health conditions that can show up in the eyes

The proposed cap on the use of government vouchers for optometric services implies that eye-related illnesses are not a public health priority

2-MIN READ2-MIN

An eye examination is usually regarded as a quick, easy and painless visit. Photo: Vision of Love - Mobile Eye Care Project

Published: 7:25am, 18 Mar 2019Updated: 6:22pm, 18 Mar 2019

We write to respond to the report “Hong Kong optometrists hit out against proposed cap for health voucher scheme” (March 8), which exhibits a retrograde awareness of the scope of care optometry provides. There have been many stories in the media portraying optometric services as simply glasses checks.

This is an understated acknowledgement of this city’s progress in health care reform: the key role primary health care providers play as Hong Kong’s ageing population grows. A visit to an optometrist’s office is more than just a prescription eye check. There are clinical diagnostic tests integrated into standard clinical practice, using medical imaging devices for the assessment of common conditions such as dry eyes and floaters.

Many asymptomatic systemic conditions such as diabetes can show up in our eyes. This can be flagged and the patient referred for further treatment before the condition progresses into greater or irreversible damage.

An eye examination is usually regarded as a quick, easy and painless visit – except for the air puff machine to estimate eye pressure – compared to trips to the dental clinic or family physician’s office. Thus, it is common to return at shorter intervals and pay many visits a year.

Often, those suffering from common eyesight problems such as presbyopia are drawn to visiting their local optometrist to discuss their problems without worrying about how many follow-up sessions would be needed. However, during this “routine” but critical visit, the optometrist has already created a documented health record and is actually screening for other severe health conditions that can show up in the eyes. The educational outcomes of this visit can be enormous.