More community services needed in Scotland

A review by the Scottish government has called for more optometry-led eye care services in local communities.

The Community Eyecare Review, commissioned by health secretary Shona Robison, was released last week. It focused on care provided by community optometrists, a decade after the introduction of free eye examinations in the country.

Eye services traditionally offered in hospitals, such as post-cataract surgery appointments and managing stable glaucoma patients, should be available locally, the review found.

Professor Carrie MacEwen, president of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, said: ‘This report identifies solutions to improve the flow of patients through hospital ophthalmology services. This will be done by adopting new methods of working, using modern technology and making use of the entire workforce, such as up-skilling nurses to ensure all patients get the timely hospital eye care they need.’