Glaucoma referral scheme sees success

A glaucoma referral scheme has been successful in effectively filtering patients, according to research.

Funded by the College of Optometrists, findings from the Enhanced Scheme Evaluation Project that were published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology have shown that the scheme has managed to safely filter patients with low false positive and false negative rates, reassuring in charge of glaucoma pathways. This has resulted in a low referral rate as 53.6% of patients were discharged, which could lead to financial savings for the NHS.

Mike Bowen, director of research for the College of Optometrists, said: ‘We are confident that these latest findings will encourage commissioners to duplicate this type of scheme, with the reassurance that outcomes for patients, far from being compromised, will actually be enhanced.’