Abstract
To estimate how the time taken for ophthalmological examination of outpatients varies with different ocular conditions. We recorded the start and finish times of face-to-face examinations carried out by an experienced ophthalmologist during seventy-two consecutive sessions in a general ophthalmology clinic. The survey included all regular visits of established patients ; the ocular conditions were classified into eleven groups. The analysis spanned 1557 visits. The average examination time was 4.9 min. Exminations of patients with diabetes (3.9 min) or cataract (4.0 min) were the shortest, whereas examinations of patients with strabismus / amblyopia (6.6 min) or uvea problems (6.5 min) were the lengthiest. Both diabetes and cataract are chronic diseases requiring simple regular follow-up on an annual or semiannual basis. In contrast, the ophthalmologist must take time to explain orthoptics and prognosis to strabismus / amblyopia patients. Similarly, patients with uvea problems need a detailed examination of fundus and biomicroscopy, and an explanation of their medication. Data obtained from the survey indicate that there is a characteristic amount of time spent by the ophthalmologist in patient examinations depending on the ocular condition. The variability in examination time associated with the various ocular conditions may be due to numerous factors.
