Possible for a GP to swab the eye and send in for bacterial analysis?!
Question: Possible for a GP to swab the eye and send in for bacterial analysis?
I've had a relatively persistent eye infection for the last few weeks, and it's getting to the point where it hurts to keep my eyes open for more than a few seconds at a time (the caruncle seems to be infected and is irritating the eye near it), and since I've been given two drops with no luck, I'm wondering if it's possible to have my general practitioner swab the eye and have it analyzed at a laboratory so that we can know 100% what the hell we're dealing with?
Or is this only something that an optometrist/ophthalmologist/optician can do?
Or is this only something that an optometrist/ophthalmologist/optician can do?
Answers:
GPs can, but probably aren't likely to do it themselves; they're more likely to refer you to an ophthalmologist. Opticians can't order lab tests, and depending where you live, optometrists may or may not be able to. Occasionally, the GP will take the swab, order the tests, and set up the appointment so by the time you actually see the ophthalmologist, they'll already have the results.
I'm an optometrist.
Call them an ask them !
doent matter if we say they can and then they say they cant !