Principles of Primary Eye Care

Primary eye care (PEC) is a broad concept, encompassing the prevention of potentially blinding eye diseases through primary health care (PHC). PEC includes the identification, with treatment or referral, of individuals with treatable causes of blindness; and the diagnosis and treatment of common eye diseases, particularly those causing an acute red eye. The principles of PHC (i.e., fair distribution; community involvement; focus on prevention; appropriate technology; multi-sectorial approach) should all apply in primary eye care. If many of the eight essential elements of PHC are applied, this would contribute significantly to the prevention of eye diseases and blindness. This book helps you master all of the knowledge you need to support today’s growing optometric patient population. Ideal for students and practitioners alike, this well-organized, accessibly written optometry reference takes a simple, step-by-step approach to describing the commonly used primary eye care procedures you’ll encounter.