Details of the patients’ management rated as inappropriate by the research team
| Optometrists’ diagnosis | Reason for inappropriate rating |
| Corneal abrasion | Inappropriate patching*† |
| Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis | Unnecessary referral to GP |
| Recurrent painful white eye | Unnecessary referral to HES |
| Viral conjunctivitis | Unnecessary referral to HES |
| Bacterial conjunctivitis | Unnecessary referral to GP |
| Possible CL-related infection | Inappropriate treatment with chloramphenicol |
| Uncertain | Prescription error (mast-cell stabiliser and antihistamine) |
| Allergic reaction and stye | Inappropriate treatment with chloramphenicol and sodium cromoglycate |
| Recurring allergic conjunctivitis | No attempt to try antihistamines or mast-cell stabilisers prior to referring to GP, no IOP measurement prior to suggesting steroid drops to be prescribed by the GP*‡ |
| Macular RPE changes | Inappropriate urgency for HES referral |
| Glaucoma suspect | Inappropriate urgency for HES referral |
| Single floater | No dilation, no checking for Schaeffer’s sign*‡ |
*The patient could have come to harm due to the optometrists’ management.
†The patient returned to the practice, and it was confirmed that the abrasion had healed without any complications.
‡The final outcome of these cases could not be established.
CL, contact lens; GP, general practitioner; HES, hospital eye services; IOP, intraocular pressure; RPE, retinal pigment epithelium.