Eye health report shows patient failings

The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) has today released a report on eye health and visual impairment.

It highlighted that patients with glaucoma have been let down by a lack of financial investment, poor policy decisions and chaotic communication and administration systems. The report also shows that up to 22 people per month are permanently losing their sight due to delayed and cancelled hospital appointments for conditions such wet age related macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease, as well as glaucoma.

This follows an enquiry into capacity issues in eye care, which has received evidence from 557 patients and 112 organisations. More than half of the patients said they had experienced at least one appointment or treatment being delayed, with 77% saying this caused them anxiety or stress and 54% saying it had a negative impact on their lives. They also expressed concerns about long waiting times, problems getting appointments, a lack of continuity in their care and poor communication from the clinic.