The purpose of this paper is to describe the procedures required to perform a comprehensive optometric eye examination. It does not, however, require all the listed procedures to be performed and additional procedures may be indicated in some cases. Each eye examination should be conducted according to the patient’s clinical condition and according to the professional judgement of the practitioner performing the eye examination.
Dependent upon the patient’s symptoms and condition, it is the optometrist’s responsibility to select the appropriate variety and sequence of tests that will best enable a safe and efficient examination. In some countries of theEuropean Union however, legal reasons might prevent optometrists from undertaking all of these tests. In these cases, optometrist are required to refer the patient for further investigation and possible treatment to a medical doctor, for example, an ophthalmologist.