Abstract
A prospective study to record numerical data pertaining to diagnosis, aetiology, modes of referral and disposal of all new cases presenting to a busy city-centre ophthalmic casualty department was carried out between February and July 1981. No restrictions of access were imposed on individuals seeking medical advice. Of the 10 575 patient visits, 7113 were classified as new cases, of which 45% were traumatic in origin, 35% the result of inflammatory processes and 6% of an iatrogenic nature; many of this last group had contact lens-induced disease. An average of 63 patients was seen daily during the study period, although the variation was from 33 to 141. It is suggested that such a service can be highly efficient in terms of man hours per patient in the management of acute ophthalmic problems.