Optometry clinics : the official publication of the Prentice Society
Standards of care when diagnosing or treating the glaucomas
Abstract
Negligence claims against ophthalmologists alleging failure to diagnose glaucoma have resulted in legal precedents with important clinical ramifications for optometrists. These cases have established that tonometry should be performed as a routine eye health procedure, regardless of patient age, and that suspicious findings, such as elevated intraocular pressures, should be communicated to the patient as required by the doctrine of informed consent. When treating patients with glaucoma medications, drugs should be selected that minimize the risk of injury or adverse effects, and, unless clearly contraindicated, a topical route of administration should be used for initial efforts at medical management.
Source and rights
Published by Optometry clinics : the official publication of the Prentice Society, 1991. The guideline itself is at the source linked here.
Prognia summarises this guideline for reference and education. It is not medical advice. Always check the official guideline and current local protocols before acting on it.
At a glance
- Published
- 1991
- Applies to
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Scope
- National
- Journal
- Optometry clinics : the official publication of the Prentice Society
- PubMed
- 1799818
- Added to Prognia
- 16 July 2026



