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Posted By Barry Cooper
Can someone clarify the situation for me.
We have many DSE users on our site. When they have requested an eye test I have arranged for them to have one at the local Specsavers (where we have an account).
If the optician says the person needs corrective spectacles for DSE use, these will be paid for by the company.
I am now being informed that a keystone test can be undertaken by our weekly visiting nurse which will identify those users who need corrective spectacles. We then send them to the optician, who will test the person and prescribe the corrective spectacles.
If they pass the keystone test they do not require corrective spectacles.
Is this correct?
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Posted By Martin Hartland
Barry
The Keystone test identifies people with defective vision who should be referred to an Optometrist, it won't identify people who need corrective glasses for DSE.
I would hesitate to say that passing the Keystone test means that a person doesn't need glasses for DSE. If someone had passed the test but still insisted that there was a problem i'd send them to the Optometrist anyway.
Regards
Martin
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
The terminology is the key here. We tend to use the word test too readily. Opticians perform an eye examination, companies often however perform a screening test which indicates those who definitely need further examination. The false negative rate means that some will pass who actually need a full examination. Thus you do need to be aware that it is not a total solution.
I personally do not believe that people will desparately want to wear glasses just because the employer is paying. However the matter is complicated when existing glasses wearers combine prescriptions and I am NOT getting into that minefield!
Bob
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Posted By Doug Russell
And the basic problem with screening tests like the Keystone test is that they don't meet the requirements of the DES regs. Users must be offered an eye and eyesight test as defined under the Opticians Act 1989. This means a test by a registered optician or appropriate medical practitioner. You can offer screening to staff but if any individual insists they must be given a full eyetest.
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Posted By Frank Hallett
Hi Barry
You should already be using a provider [of eye tests] that uses the Royal College of Optometrists Guidance on condicting eye tests for DSE users. This will then ensure that those who have a need for eye-sight correction for DSE are those who actually do need it for their particular workstation and will also assist in identifying others who have a range of defects or degenerative conditions for which sight correction may not be the answer in the long-term.
Frank Hallett
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Posted By Barry Cooper
Thanks for the advice
Following on from frank's comments, I can confirm that Specsavers where following the guidelines, and you are right Frank the Keystone test doesn't identify other medical eye problems, so I will revert back to the old system. Thanks everyone
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Posted By Jack
I agree with the points made above. Screening does not meet the regs (ie is not an eye AND eyesight examination). However, I have seen screening used in organisations which many employees are happy to use. If one asks to see optician, then of course you have to make that available, but screening can identify those who need correction.
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