The College of Optometrists

Can I have some help with classifying patients after a VDU eyetest

My understanding is that the employer only is obliged to pay if the spectacles are SOLELY for VDU use and would have no other use

So, applying this

1) 30y old, gets tired with PC. Refraction R&L +0.75 G=R I advise specs for VDU and NV generally as needed. Employer does not have to pay

2) 30y old, gets tired with PC. Refraction R&L -1.25 G=R Px finds VDU clearer with specs. I advise specs for VDU and DV generally e.g. driving TV. Employer does not have to pay

3) 60y old, uses PC. Refraction R&L Plano G=R Add for reading +2.00 but this isnt clear for VDU which is placed further away Add for VDU = +1.25. I advise specs for VDU and NV generally. Employer has to contribute because the glasses advised for reading dont perform on the VDU.

I am happy with all of the above but I often come across Px in category 1 who are upset because i dont fill the form in so as to give them free glasses from work - why? Because they feel that they dont do much reading but use the PC a lot so therefore are entitled to specs because they wouldnt use the specs for reading and would only use them for the PC

Any comments on this. Many thanks

I agree with you and would do the same - and do the same - I think its acually up to the company what they want. I believe the patient is entitled to a free eye test paid by the company - but then its up to the company if they offer susidised glasses or not.

I agree with you - side with the company - they are the payers and stipulate the rules under which the scheme operates. I used to work in HES - where all applications were scrutinised by a grumpy OMP. Very few VDU spex got past him!

Actually, there are very few 'real' VDU only spex and I am strict with that! If I upset the px - tough! Why should we encourage inaccurate prescribing. Mind you, if the boss wants to pay - who is to stop him?

steve

I believe that in case 1, if the patient has the normal 8 dioptres of accommodation and is simply found to have a small esophoria which breaks down with continuous VDU, then he is entitled to help unless he has another job where he is reading continuously for many hours per day. I would also say the same for "small" astigmatic refractive errors, especially oblique cyls and small degrees of anisometropia. If they can read N5 without spectacles happily for 20 minutes but break down or start eyestrain after longer, then I think the company will be happy to contribute. The grey area is how smalll is "small".

We have a large VDU contract with an independent optometric assessor who would agree with the above. We have managed to reduce prescribing rates from over 25%!!! with the previous optoms to closer to the expected 10%.