The Devon pilot scheme

Optometrist Karin Tilley, who has been involved in the East Devon glaucoma pilot for five months, said: 'I put my name forward for the pilot because I liked the idea of having contact with the local hospital and adding variety to my job.

'Optometrists involved in the area got together with the head ophthalmologist and a coordinator at the local hospital for an initial discussion and an introduction to clinical guidelines.

'We then arranged to sit in with the ophthalmologist for three days or until he was happy we could take the pressures and assess the fields and discs.

'We sat in on nurse-led clinics afterwards and began to take on her job in assessing patients.

'I do four clinics, one day a month and see five patients, which I don't feel is enough. But it's at the pilot stage at the moment and I don't know how I'll feel in a year's time when there may be more patients. 

'I now see my regular patients at the practice in a whole different light because I am more alert to any changes. You develop your skills all the time, it's never the same.'