Guidance for Professional Practice

Guidance on when to refer; who to refer to; communicating referrals; and recording communications.

Urgency of referrals

This table in the Guidance for Professional Practice provides information on which conditions are considered an emergency or urgent.

Writing a good referral letter

Acuity article on what makes a good referral letter, information you must include, and how much is too much.

Latest online CPD

Assessing swollen discs

This is a recorded lecture from Optometry Tomorrow 2026 where Simon Hardman-Lea explores the causes behind optic disc swelling, specific clinical features and symptoms to look out for, and considerations of current referral patterns from optometrists.

Children OCT Referrals Retina
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Latest journal article

Did you know...about paediatric vision assessments?

The conditions and development milestones to look out for in paediatric vision assessments.

Binocular vision Children Myopia Public health Referrals
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Optometry Tomorrow

Where optometry professionals come together for practical learning, CPD and fresh insight.

AMD Binocular vision Cataract Children Contact lenses Dementia Dispensing Driving and vision Falls Glaucoma Independent prescribing Low vision Myopia OCT Referrals Research Retina Workforce
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Latest clinical files

October 2026: Case on managing a patient with CHRPE

Clinical files: "A new adult patient attended for their first sight test, and I detected congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium CHRPE in their right eye. They were asymptomatic, do I need to refer? "

Public health Referrals
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Referral

How to support the waiting well

As the demand for ophthalmology services among new and existing patients mounts, Sophie Goodchild explores a pathway to support people on NHS lists at every stage of their eye care journey.

Low vision Policy Public health Referrals

September 2024: Case on managing patients with choroidal naevus

Clinical files: I have detected a typical choroidal naevus during a sight test on a new patient at my practice. Should I refer?

Public health Referrals

May 2024: Case on repeat visual fields and internal referral

Clinical files: I am a locum optometrist who has been working at a practice while the resident is on holiday. It is my last day at the practice, and I have a patient who needs a repeat visual fields test but declined to complete it on the same day. What should I do?

Referrals

February 2024: Case on patient referrals and PED

Clinical files: Do I have to refer an asymptomatic patient with a small pigment epithelial detachment (PED)?

AMD Low vision OCT Referrals

Picture perfect: sharing the best ophthalmic images

Kaye McIntosh on tackling the lack of standardisation when sharing ophthalmic images.

Public health Referrals

Optometry Tomorrow

Where optometry professionals come together for practical learning, CPD and fresh insight.

AMD Binocular vision Cataract Children Contact lenses Dementia Dispensing Driving and vision Falls Glaucoma Independent prescribing Low vision Myopia OCT Referrals Research Retina Workforce

Referrals

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