After completing the routine eye examination

A46

When you have completed the tests you should tell the patient what you have found and what you would recommend. You should tell the patient when you would recommend they have their next eye examination.

A47

You should provide patients with leaflets about the most common eye conditions, as appropriate.²²

A48

You must only issue a prescription for the correction of visual defects when it is clinically justified and in the best interests of the patient.²³ In all other cases give the patient a written statement, confirming a correction is not required or that there is no change in the current prescription.

A49

If you examine a patient who might have an eye condition or eye surgery that may change the prescription in the short- to medium-term, you should consider carefully whether it is in the patient’s best interests to have new spectacles. You should explain the benefits and disadvantages of prescribing spectacles that will be appropriate only for a short time.

A50

If you are referring the patient, see section on Working with colleagues for further guidance.

A51

You should record any information you have given to the patient.

A52

You may need to justify your actions at a later date, so if you decide not to conduct particular tests that would normally be expected, you should record the reasons for not carrying out those tests. You should remember that when conducting a sight test, certain tests are required by law, see para A37.