New NICE Glaucoma Guidelines

Dated: 9-Jul-09

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recently released guidance aiming to improve the care of glaucoma patients across the whole NHS. This addresses many issues regarding the care of glaucoma (high pressure resulting in damage to the optic nerve at the back of the eye) and ocular hypertension (high pressure but no glaucoma). Previously different people underwent a different standard of care when they were diagnosed with either of the aforementioned conditions. Now the standard of care has been clearly stated and all patients should be managed according to this guidance.

There is no need to go into the specifics of the guidance however this is available on-line at http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/CG85PublicInfoEnglish.pdf. At the Derby Hospitals and any of the hospitals where Mr Alwitry works these guidelines are already followed and in some cases the standard of care is exceeded.

There has recently been further guidance regarding the practicalities of referring patients  - please follow this link - college optometrists