The quality of optometrists' referral letters for glaucoma.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the quality of content of optometrist-initiated glaucoma referral letters arriving at the appointment booking centre at Moorfields Eye Hospital (MEH).

Methods: The minimum standard of information required for an ophthalmologist to determine the appropriateness and urgency of glaucoma suspect referral was determined, and criteria for three standards of referral letter formulated: 'Ideal', 'Acceptable' and 'Fail'. These standards were applied to a prospective review of all optometrist-derived referrals for glaucoma or suspected glaucoma cases arriving in the MEH booking centre over a 4-month period.