Fewer people will need to be referred for further specialist investigation and possible treatment for glaucoma following updated guidance by NICE.
The new guidelines included a section on what tests should be carried out by primary eye care professionals to determine if referral to a specialist is necessary.
NICE recommended a higher inner eye pressure threshold of 24mm/Hg to prompt referral and treatment, up from 21mmHg previously.
Patients with an inner eye pressure below 24 mmHg should continue regular visits to their primary ECP for further detection, NICE suggested.
Professor Mark Baker, director of the centre for guidelines at NICE, said: ‘Chronic open angle glaucoma is a condition that should be taken seriously. People at risk of the condition should be carefully monitored so that it can be treated early.
‘Approximately 1.8 million people in the UK have an inner eye pressure of 22 or 23 mmHg. That puts a huge demand on secondary care eye services for patients who don’t need immediate treatment. Having a clear referral and treatment pathway to identify patients with ocular hypertension and suspected COAG ensures patients are assessed and treated in the most appropriate setting.
‘Increasing the treatment threshold will not only lead to fewer patients being referred unnecessarily but it should reduce costs without compromising patient safety.’
Other recommendations by NICE included using gold standard equipment to measure a patient’s inner eye pressure and repeating tests before referral.
To view the full guidance, visit https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG81