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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Live events

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 resources

Online CPD courses for optometrists on the topic of referral.

Referrals

Best practice for optometrists' written and telephone referrals (2026)

In this recorded webinar, Dr Gordon Hay discusses true ocular emergencies and provides optometrists with clear guidance on how to make clear and effective referrals to eye casualty.

Referrals

Monitor, manage, treat or refer? How to decide what is best for your patient (2026)

This recorded webinar delivered by Michelle Hanratty will help you determine when to manage or monitor a patient’s condition and when to refer for further investigation or management.

AMD Cataract Glaucoma Referrals

Urgent ophthalmology cases

This recorded webinar by Mr Rhys Harrison reviews cases of urgent referral to the hospital eye service. It is directed at community optometrists assessing patients and how to identify patients requiring urgent referral.

Referrals