Seven Ways: Steps to minimise contact

As well documented, the golden rule is to push as much initial information gathering as possible onto the pre-appointment phone call. Part of the call should establish what prescreening is relevant to that patient. To minimise contact times, look to preset imaging devices to settings established on previous visits. Similarly with fields, choose the program most appropriate to the patient. A suprathreshold scan is generally the fastest but for someone who is more at risk of a fields loss, for example an old person or someone with a family history of glaucoma, a fast full threshold program (SITA or ZATA Fast) is best. Non-contact tonometry is both quick and helpfully distanced, but a rebound tonometer can be used at arm’s length and has good repeatability. Multiple function devices are very useful as they allow for just one sitting.