Agency urges review of glaucoma services

NHS organisations including primary care trusts are being urged to review their systems for the diagnosis and management of open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension in a new report published by the NHS National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA).

The agency's Rapid Response report, entitled 'Glaucoma: diagnosis and management of chronic open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension', was published last week to complement the recently issued guidance from NICE.

In the report the patient body called for health organisations to undertake a review of their systems and processes to minimise the risk of avoidable sight loss in patients with established or suspected glaucoma.

As part of its remit, the NPSA also monitors harm to glaucoma patients suffering visual loss after delays to follow-up appointments.