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Optometry

Read the following information.

Free OET Writing Sample Test with Answer Subtest Optometry #12

Using the information given in the case notes, write a referral letter to an ophthalmic surgeon.

Case Notes

  • Patient: Mrs. Eleanor White, 74 yrs

  • Past medical history: Hypertension, Mild COPD

  • Family/social: Retired teacher, lives with husband, active lifestyle

  • Presenting complaint: Increasing cloudy vision (L>R) for 1 year

  • Symptoms: Difficulty recognizing faces, poor vision in bright sunlight, haloes around lights at night, unable to read comfortably

  • Eye history: Glasses user for 40 years

  • Examination findings:

    • VA: RE 6/12, LE 6/36 (no significant improvement with refraction)

    • Lens: Left eye – dense nuclear cataract, Right eye – moderate cataract

    • Fundus: Limited view of the left eye, normal right eye

    • IOP: Normal

  • Daily impact: Cannot drive, struggles with reading, socially withdrawn

  • Request: Surgical evaluation for cataract extraction, particularly the left eye

Ophthalmic Surgery Department
Riverside Hospital

Dear Surgeon,

I am referring Mrs. Eleanor White, a 74-year-old retired teacher, for surgical evaluation due to progressive bilateral cataracts, worse in the left eye.

Mrs. White has noticed increasing cloudy vision over the past year, particularly in her left eye. She is now unable to recognize faces clearly, has difficulty reading, and is distressed by haloes and glare from lights. Her vision in bright sunlight is also poor. These problems have significantly affected her independence, and she has stopped driving.

On examination, her visual acuity measured 6/12 in the right eye and 6/36 in the left eye, with minimal improvement after refraction. Slit-lamp assessment confirmed a dense nuclear cataract in the left eye and a moderate cataract in the right. Fundus visualization in the left eye was limited due to lens opacity, while the right eye appeared normal. Intraocular pressures were within the normal range.

Given the severity of her left-sided cataract and the functional impact on her daily activities, I would recommend surgical intervention starting with the left eye. A complete ophthalmic assessment and suitability for cataract extraction would be greatly appreciated.

I appreciate your consideration.

Yours sincerely,
Optometrist

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