Glaucoma care scheme commissioned in Gwent

Specsavers in Newport has announced becoming one of three high street opticians in Gwent to provide a glaucoma community service commissioned by the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

Thousands of Gwent residents at risk of developing glaucoma can access eye care at the Specsavers practice, Julian Davies Opticians in Newport or at Phillips Opticians in Torfaen, after the contract was announced by the health board this week.

The glaucoma scheme has been running in pilot since 2014, including glaucoma assessment via virtual links to the consultant-led clinics where they are reviewed by a consultant ophthalmologist.

Des O’Duffy, a consultant ophthalmologist at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, said: ‘As a response to a significant number of delayed hospital appointments associated with glaucoma, we commissioned this new service.