Bill Harvey: Eyes wide shut

I think it is fair to say that many optometrists have an over-cautious approach to investigative techniques, especially where contact or drugs are involved. Often this is fear of causing something far less significant than might actually be missed if the test is not done. Let me give a few examples.

My mother (a youthful 82) was recently worried enough by a friend’s horrifying description of AMD to pop in for an impromptu eye test while shopping. She later phoned me with yet more worries of AMD and cataract. I know my mom’s eyes and, with no claim to anything other than average optometric ability, I fail to see how anybody can offer advice about her maculae (or indeed any retrolental structure) without dilation. I can also see no argument for not dilating, nor indeed any reason to claim she had had an adequate eye test without dilation.