- You should assess the patient’s binocular vision as an integral part of an eye examination or sight test. You should use visual acuity tests that are appropriate for the age of the patient.
- You should be aware of the options for treating patients with binocular vision anomalies.
- If you treat a patient with patching you should have up-to-date knowledge and skills on this topic.
- If you refer a patient for orthoptic or amblyopia treatment, you should tell the patient about the likely treatment options.
- You should exchange relevant information with other professionals if the patient is receiving care as part of a community service.
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This Guidance does not change what you must do under the law.
A273
You should assess the patient’s binocular vision as an integral part of an eye examination or sight test because prescribing decisions for spectacles or contact lenses may affect the patient’s binocular status. For example, there can be a risk of over-minussing a young esophore or under-minussing a young exophore.
A274
If you examine a patient who has an anomaly of binocular vision, but they are asymptomatic and the anomaly is not amblyogenic, you may not need to correct the anomaly. In this case, you should inform the patient, or their parent or carer, and advise them on the management option you think is most appropriate. A rare exception to this advice occurs if it is likely that an anomaly will worsen, for example decompensate, if left untreated.107
A275
You should use visual acuity tests that are appropriate for the age of the patient,108 using crowded tests whenever possible. See section on Examining younger children.
A276
You should be aware of the various options for treating patients with binocular vision anomalies, including both refractive techniques and exercises. You should be able to advise the patient about these.
References
107 Evans BJW (2007) Pickwell’s binocular vision anomalies. Oxford: Elsevier [Accessed 1 Nov 2023]108 Royal College of Ophthalmologists (2012) Guidelines for the management of strabismus in childhood [Accessed 1 Nov 2023]
A277
When managing a patient with amblyopia, you should first correct any significant refractive error. This would typically follow a cycloplegic refraction.
A278
If you treat a patient with patching, you should have up-to-date knowledge and skills on this topic.
A279
You should ensure that patients with amblyopia are reviewed at appropriate intervals.
A280
If you design or deliver a treatment regime for the patient, you should ensure that the degree of patching is appropriate for the patient.
A281
You should be aware of the critical period for amblyopia development and ensure prompt treatment. You should refer children that you do not feel competent to manage or whose visual acuity does not improve after a suitable period of time.
A282
If you refer the patient for orthoptic or amblyopia treatment, you should tell the patient about the likely treatment options.
A283
If you are asked to refract a patient that another professional is managing for their binocular vision anomaly you should exchange information on your findings with that professional. This is important because of the close relationship between accommodation and convergence and the effect that changes in prescription can have on the patient’s deviation.
A284
If you have doubts about the effect a change in prescription may have on the patient’s ocular muscle status you should liaise with the co-managing professional before deciding what to prescribe.
See sections on Consent and Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.
