Clinical Laboratory Testing In Optometric Practice.

The eye is not an isolated part of the body. It is only one part of a complicated, integrated total body unit, made up of a series of smaller systems. As doctors, we have to consider these systems when certain findings present ocularly. Laboratory testing can be very useful in helping to sort out a disease process. This paper attempts to familiarize the optometric doctor to commonly encountered laboratory tests. Within this paper is a detailed description of clinical laboratory tests that an optometrist may have reason to order, and when
appropriate, the procedure is briefly described and a range of normal and abnormal is provided. Also included are those situations that will call for a systemic work-up and a list of the appropriate tests to order are listed by that disease. Clinical laboratory testing in the optometric practice is utilized for a few main reasons. First, tests are ordered to aid in the diagnosis of a disease that cannot be otherwise established through routine testing. The testing is most useful if a clinician orders appropriate tests to differentially diagnosis an unknown or unclear disease process. Secondly, if a treatment is initiated, results can be
periodically monitored throughout the course of treatment to see if a patient's condition is stabilized, worse, or improving. With some disease processes, it is helpful to determine the stage of activity of a disease as treatment varies with each individual stage. The third main reason is to evaluate the end result of a treatment or the final outcome. It is in the best interest of a clinician to have a basic understanding of the commonly used lab tests used so as to assure that a patient who presents with an ocular manifestation of a systemic disease has the appropriate work up. Every patient is entitled to the highest standard of care. It is our duty to uphold that high standard.