The College of Optometrists

Is it ok to ever refer and dispense, eg a POAG px where the treatment is highly unlikely to influence the Rx.How would referal and dispense like so stand up in a case record exam?

If someone presents without spectacles (lost/broken?) complaining of poor vision for dist and near and you improve the va's why won't you prescribe. It is in the patient's best interests, is it not?

I would also encourage referral and dispense for children with amblyopia/strabismus. In the HES these children often see an orthoptist on their first visit, and are re-booked if refraction is required, so there is potentially several months between the optom. referral and refraction in hospital. Obviously this varies in different areas, but where i work, hospital orthoptists/optoms/ophthalmologists are very happy if gls have been prescribed. Again, from a case records point of view, it would be hard to argue that prescribing is not in the best interests of the patient (if you are reasonably confident with your refraction!!).