§ Mr. Brightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services which specialist tests for glaucoma are beyond the competence of ophthalmic opticians.
§ Mr. HayhoeOphthalmic opticians are trained in many of the techniques for detecting symptoms of glaucoma. However diagnosis would be a matter for the responsible ophthalmologist.
§ Mr. Brightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is satisfied with the effectiveness of the testing procedures for the blood relatives of sufferers from glaucoma.
§ Mr. HayhoeFacilities for the detection and treatment of glaucoma provided in hospital eye departments are the responsibility of individual health authorities. I understand that ophthalmologists would normally advise glaucoma sufferers that their first degree relatives over the age of 40 should be screened.
§ Mr. Brightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many cases of glaucoma were positively identified by ophthalmic opticians in routine National Health Service eye tests in 1983, 1984 and 1985.
§ Mr. HayhoeDiagnosis of disease is a matter for qualified medical practitioners. Ophthalmic opticians are, however, required to inform patients' doctors of any indication of disease they detect in the course of the National Health Service sight test. I regret that information is not available on the number of such referrals.