The final step in the TAP vision screen is to discuss and agree actions with the person.
Possible options are:
- Refer for assessment of an eye health problem.
- Refer to an eye health professional for a more detailed eye examination
- Offer to explore whether vision assistive products that you have available may assist. Follow the procedures outlined in TAP for providing near vision spectacles or other vision assistive products.
Record your decisions on the vision screen form.
Instruction
Read more about these options as you go through this topic.
Refer for assessment of an eye health problem
Vision assistive products should not be provided if the person has an eye health problem that has not been assessed and treated.
Tip
Remember, the TAP vision screen form uses this icon to indicate where a referral may be needed.
Question
What are appropriate reasons to refer someone to a doctor or an eye health professional? Select from the list below.
All of the reasons above are reasons that you would refer someone to a doctor or eye health professional.
Instruction
Learn more about eye health and how to manage eye health problems in the TAP Primary eye care course.
Refer to an eye health professional
An eye health professional will carry out a thorough eye exam. This is a more detailed test of vision than the simple distance and near vision tests used in the TAP vision screen.
An eye exam is necessary to carefully check the person’s eye health and vision and is needed to provide prescription spectacles.
Any person with low vision should also have a full eye exam before being prescribed vision assistive products, as their condition may be treatable.
Refer people for an eye exam who have not already recently had an eye exam and cannot see Es on the simple distance vision test. These people may need prescription spectacles, other eye health services, or low vision assistive products.
Offer to explore whether vision assistive products that you have available may help
Near vision spectacles: People who may benefit from near vision spectacles are those who:
- Have passed the simple distance vision test
- Cannot see 3 or more Es on the simple near vision test
- Are over 40 years of age.
Low vision assistive products: People who may benefit from low vision assistive products are those who have some vision, however cannot see Es during the simple distance vision test.
Instruction
For more information about providing near vision spectacles and low vision assistive products, see TAP modules:
- Near vision spectacles
- Magnifying glasses and telescopes.
Question
What actions would you discuss with the following people:
1. Mabel is 50 years old and has no signs of an eye health problem. She passed the distance vision test, however she could not see the Es during the near vision test.
Mabel may benefit from near vision spectacles. If you have these available, complete the four steps to provide near vision spectacles (Near vision spectacles module).
2. Albert is 60 years old and wears prescription spectacles for distance vision. He has diabetes and has blurry vision. He attends the community health clinic for his diabetes, however, has not seen an eye health professional. He passed the distance vision test wearing his spectacles. However, he could not see the Es during the near vision test.
Refer Albert to an eye health clinic to check the health of his eyes.
Albert may also benefit from near vision spectacles. Let him know that he should visit the eye health clinic, and come back for near vision spectacles if the eye health professional agrees.
3. Nina is 42 years old and wears prescription spectacles, however still has difficulty seeing. Last month, she was told by her eye health professional that low vision assistive products may help her. Nina’s eyes look healthy. She could not see the large E during the distance vision test. She could see the Es during the near vision test when she held the vision chart very close to her face.
Because Nina has already seen an eye health professional in the last 3 months, and they have provided prescription spectacles and suggested low vision assistive products, explore with her whether low vision assistive products such as a magnifying glass and/or telescope may help improve her vision.