PCTs unsure about field test needs

There is confusion among primary care trusts, health boards and optometric advisers over appropriate visual field screening (VFS) methods for patients in their homes, according to the UK Domiciliary Eyecare Committee (DEC).

It found that there was doubt as to whether electronic VFS equipment should be required equipment for GOS additional services contractors.

The DEC carried out research which included an audit of VFS equipment held by additional services contractors in a sample of PCT areas and an audit of a sample of domiciliary sight tests performed in a one-month period across the UK.

Pending evidence, the DEC has advised that the safest requirement for domiciliary patients was for all domiciliary providers to ensure that a portable means for testing visual fields - either manual or electronic - was routinely available, in addition to confrontation testing for all patients.