Recommendations

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists

Recommendations from the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists on visual fields, vitamins, alpha-1 blockers, intravitreal injections & retinal detachment. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) is the leading medical eye specialist organisation in Australia and New Zealand. RANZCO’s mission is to drive improvements in eye health care through continuing exceptional training, education, research and advocacy.

1.
In the absence of relevant history, symptoms and signs, ‘routine’ automated visual fields and optical coherence tomography are not indicated.

Date reviewed: 27 October 2022

When a patient’s visual symptoms can be explained by simple refractive error and a comprehensive eye examination including slit lamp, extraocular movements, intraocular pressures, fundoscopy and confrontation visual fields is normal, there is no need for further tests. There are occasional exceptions – eg if the patient is specifically being reviewed in relation to an inherited retinal or optic nerve disorder, as screening or baseline for drug-related toxity, or as part of preparing a patient (pre-op for cataract assessment).

When testing for driving eligibility, the Estermann visual test for visual field defects is appropriate to screen for visual field defect. Automated perimetry is only required when significant field defects are suspected.

As in almost all branches of medicine, history and examination precede investigations and not the other way around.

Supporting evidence
How this list was made How this list was made

RANZCO has undertaken a multi-stage consultation process to ensure that the entire spectrum of medical eye specialists in Australia and New Zealand can contribute to the process of identifying and refining the top five recommendations. The first stage included a survey of fellows to identify possible recommendations, which were then narrowed down and by a dedicated “Choosing Wisely” committee of RANZCO members. A second survey was then sent to all members to provide feedback on the list of five and received a high response rate. Based on the extensive feedback received via the survey, RANZCO’s “Choosing Wisely” committee crafted the final wording of the top five recommendations. Finally, the RANZCO board discussed and approved the recommendations.


Download RANZCO Recommendations