Faster diagnoses for glaucoma patients in Cambridgeshire

A one-year pilot programme run by Addenbrooke’s will enable local residents suspected of glaucoma to be diagnosed – and treated – more quickly.

From 14 April, optometrists at the Vision and Eye Research Unit at Anglia Ruskin University and Clamp Optometrists in Cambridge will assess patients whose GPs have referred them with suspected glaucoma. If the degenerative eye condition is confirmed, they will be treated in hospital.

The scheme was set up after the drugs approval body, NICE, changed its guidelines for glaucoma diagnosis. The partnership will reduce waiting times and enable patients to start treatment sooner.

Dr Keith Martin, consultant ophthalmologist and clinical director of the Cambridge Eye Unit at Addenbrooke’s, said: “Glaucoma leads to progressive, irreversible loss of vision through damage to the optic nerve – but with an early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, we can slow down or stop the disease.

“This outreach scheme is a positive move for patients, because they will be seen as quickly as possible – but it’s also good for the hospital, because it lets us make the best use of specialist resources.

“All diagnoses will be to the same standard as in the Eye Unit – and if treatment is necessary then patients will receive further care at Addenbrooke’s.”

Daniel Hardiman-McCartney, managing director of Clamp Optometrists, said: “We can offer a convenient city centre location with the same training and experience you get in hospital. The one-year pilot is very exciting – if patients like it, it will be a model that can be duplicated throughout the UK.”

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