Optometrists in Wales can now issue Certificates of Vision Impairment at high street practices for patients with bi- lateral dry age-related macular degeneration.
The certification is backed by research from Cardiff University and funded by Sight Cymru, which agreed upon eligibility criteria and provided evidence for the policy change.
Rebecca Bartlett, national clinical lead at Wales General Ophthalmic Services, said: ‘We are thrilled that this NHS Wales service is now live. We expect an immediate increase in the number of people accessing certification and the important related support registration brings. We also expect to see a reduction in referrals to hospital eye services, which will free up vital appointment slots for other people whose eye conditions need to be seen in this setting.’
Owen Williams, director at Wales Council for the Blind, added: ‘The certificate is a crucial document that opens the door to additional support, welfare benefits, financial concessions and services in social care, the third sector, and elsewhere. WCB are keen to see more hospital eye services delivered in primary care optometry practices where it is safe to do so, providing patients with a convenient and timely alternative to hospital-based services.’