Latest College Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Professional Conduct
The optometrist has a duty to carry out whatever tests are necessary to determine the patient’s needs for vision care as to both sight and health. The exact format and content will be determined by both the practitioner’s professional judgement and the minimum legal requirements.
When examining a patient with diabetes mellitus, the optometrist has a duty to take reasonable care to detect the presence of any ocular changes that might be linked to the condition.
When examining a patient who falls within the at-risk groups for primary openangle glaucoma, the optometrist has a duty to carry out the appropriate tests necessary to determine the likelihood of the condition being present.
When examining a younger child, the optometrist has a duty to use a range of tests suitable for the age of patient being assessed and in all cases to obtain as much information as possible about vision and/or visual acuity, oculomotor balance, refractive error and the health of the eyes.
When examining the older person the optometrist has a duty to carry out whatever tests are necessary to determine the patient’s needs for vision care as to both sight and health, notwithstanding any difficulties in communication or assessment which may be associated with physical sensory or mental disability. The exact content and format will be determined by both the practitioner’s professional judgement and the minimum legal requirements.