A major review of higher qualifications, including the Diploma in Glaucoma, will be undertaken by the College of Optometrists, Optician has learnt.
This follows the publication of controversial guidance by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) for the management of glaucoma and ocular hypertension, which has recently been the subject of debate.
As reported in Optician (News, February 13), NICE published the draft for consultation on Glaucoma: diagnosis and management of chronic open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension in September last year. This suggests only those with the College of Optometrists' Diploma in Glaucoma should manage COAG or ocular hypertension above 21mm Hg. If implemented in its entirety in mid-April, the revised guidelines could lead to hospital eye departments being overwhelmed by a mass of referrals by optometrists.
The National Eye Health Epidemiological Model suggests that the mean estimate of glaucoma prevalence in the UK is 533,623 cases and for ocular hypertension 1,171,446 cases. Furthermore, stakeholder comments to NICE suggest that the guidance could lead to an estimated 400,000-500,000 additional eye department visits per year.
Earlier this week, a College spokeswoman told Optician that the review would be extensive but it was too early to comment on how long it would take to complete.
'It will be a broad ranging review of all the College's higher qualifications and it will examine the competencies, methods of training and methods of assessment,' she said.
The spokeswoman also confirmed that the review could consider the length of time taken to attain the glaucoma qualifications. Figures to November 2008 reveal that 19 people have the Diploma in Glaucoma and 26 the Cert A only.
Meanwhile, a NICE spokeswoman told Optician, the watchdog would take on board all stakeholder comments. She added that final guidance when published on April 22 will come into immediate effect.