Patients often contact the practice by phone or in person with what appears to be an acute eye problem. Practice staff need to be trained as to how quickly these patients need to be seen and whether they are best directed to the local eye casualty, or assessed in practice.

Although this document is intended to summarise the appropriate clinical considerations which practice staff should take into account, it is important to note that the document (i) is of general application and should therefore not be seen as a substitute for a proper assessment of a patient by a registered optometrist, (ii) does not relieve optometrists from their own professional duties, including in respect of staff working under their supervision, and (iii) does not amount to an assumption of responsibility by the College in respect of any harm, loss or damage (including, without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage), or any loss or damage whatsoever arising in connection with the information contained within the document.