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Patients eligible for a domiciliary eye examination

A219
Should only provide a domiciliary eye examination for patients who cannot attend a practice due to physical or mental disability.90 These situations may include where a patient:
  1. is frail or ill
  2. has challenging behaviour
  3. becomes distressed when taken out of their familiar surroundings.
A220
You must only provide a domiciliary eye examination at the request of, and with the consent of, the patient or a relative or primary carer.
A221
You must only carry out a domiciliary examination if it is in the best interests of the patient. A domiciliary service can be provided privately for those who do not qualify for an NHS domiciliary visit.
A222
You should encourage those who can attend a practice to do so, since the consulting room is the optimum environment for an eye examination.
A223
For a patient who does not leave their home and will be using spectacles only in that environment, their normal place of residence is often the best environment for their sight test. In this environment the optometrist is able to assess levels of lighting, positioning of furniture and the TV and advise how optimum vision may be achieved.
A224
If you do not offer a domiciliary service you, or your practice, should advise where patients can access these services.

References

78 Optical Confederation (2013). Sight tests at home [Accessed 17 Nov 2023]