Retinal Examination Using A Slit Lamp

teddysmum

I went to my GP as I noticed and odd line , just inside peripheral vision and she suggested an emergency appointment in the local opticians' scheme, but no one could see me within a week and two had no optician available ! (The eye hospital consultant said he had his opinion of the scheme and it wasn't good).


I rang the GP, who told me to ring the eye hospital and the sister I spoke to insisted that Specsavers saw me next day. Their optician said the edges of one retina were ragged and referred me to the hospital (expecting an appointment in about two weeks).


I developed a large floater (still have it) overnight, rang Specsavers and was seen immediately by their practice owner and their optician said she thought I should be seen sooner, so arranged an appointment next day.


The registrar said the problem was with my other eye and wanted me to see 'the boss' as he wasn't sure.


Next day, I saw the consultant, who said both retinae were a little ragged, but he thought they would be ok, giving me details of what to watch out for. He said they no longer bother zapping floaters and, as the receptionist, who has one, said, your brain gets to ignore them most of the time.


I have dilating drops for my annual retinopathy test and they really sting , but those used for my four examinations didn't sting at all (so no need to worry about that).


Long ramble, but what I'm saying is that there is emergency treatment, if needed, without having to bother A&E.

nedmundo

C_Mababejive wrote: »

I wonder how many practices actually invest in OCT equipment? Is it the few or are they commonplace in high street optometrists?

I think there needs to be a raising of awareness of naturally occuring conditions such as PVD and the potential complications so that people can recognise any symptoms and get checked out.

Unfortunately OCT is still only in the minority of practices - owing to it's cost and the skillset required to interpret the results. I wouldn't practice without mine as it's essential for diagnosing or excluding the cause any loss of vision - especially macular degeneration, which is unfortunately all too common.

C_Mababejive

nedmundo wrote: »

Unfortunately OCT is still only in the minority of practices - owing to it's cost and the skillset required to interpret the results. I wouldn't practice without mine as it's essential for diagnosing or excluding the cause any loss of vision - especially macular degeneration, which is unfortunately all too common.

Hi Ned,yes,,my independent optom has one also and as you say, it isnt just the cost of acquiring, its also essential to have the training and to develop the skills and experience to correctly interpret results.

GlasweJen

We have one optometry practice in our local area who sends OCT results with referral. That's one out of countless so not many have them up here.

All practices here in Scotland have a fundus camera and the requirement is that all patients over 60 have a clear fundus photo on record for every sight test performed. If the optom can get one without dilation then fine but if you can't you dilate, failure to get the photo results in a lower payment being made for that patient.

As for OCT detecting peripheral tears, nonsense. An OCT will photograph some of the periphery but the actual scan is of the central macula. We use an optos to image the periphery but those cost a fortune and there are only 2 in our health board.

Eye casualty is by referral only and heaven help the person who turns up without an appointment, the sister at the ARC takes no prisoners!

C_Mababejive

I had a check at the dedicated eye hospital (not A&E) for retinal issues and they used a combination of OCT imaging, max dilation i.e loads of drops over a period of at least half an hour, two consultants peering in my eye using both a slit lamp and what looked like hand held circular (magnifying?) lenses.