Nice laser guidelines updated

New guidelines have stated that patients newly diagnosed with glaucoma and ocular hypertension should initially be offered selective laser therapy rather than eye drops.

Updates published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said changes in clinical practice would reduce the number of patients needing eye drops and create savings for the NHS.

Dr Paul Chrisp, director of the Centre for Guidelines at Nice, said: ‘The guideline has been developed following a public consultation last year and we are recommending that local healthcare services carrying out laser therapy should be providing their staff with training on the treatment. It is crucial that healthcare professionals discuss the benefits and risks with patients, family members and carers to agree on a treatment plan for each person.’