Eye health services failing people with glaucoma

The International Glaucoma Association response to the

All Party Parliamentary Group on Eye Health and Visual Impairment Report

See the light: Improving capacity in NHS eye care in England

The International Glaucoma Association (IGA) welcomes the APPG Eye Health and Visual Impairment review. Patients with glaucoma have been badly let down by lack of financial investment, poor policy decisions and chaotic communication and administration systems.

The report highlights the need for the forthcoming NHS Tariff review to redress the financial imbalance between first and follow up appointments. Glaucoma is a lifelong condition and we want to see a system where people with glaucoma are fairly treated and feel supported and cared for throughout life and not just at the point of diagnosis.

Our research shows that over 40 per cent of members have been adversely affected by cancellations or delays to follow up. Members call us distressed, anxious and scared about the impact that the delay will have on their sight. Only the confident and persistent are able to navigate through a dysfunctional system.

We have had members who have paid for private healthcare in order to avoid delays. The creation of a two tier health system is unacceptable and against the founding principles of the NHS.

The report is clear and confident in the recommendations for financial investment, revised pricing structure, increased recruitment and the need for joined up electronic patient records. We look forward to the Government response.

The IGA is the charity for people with glaucoma. Established over 40 years ago, it raises awareness, promotes research related to early diagnosis and treatment, and provides support to patients and all those who care for them. In addition it also part funds the IGA Professor Ophthalmology for Glaucoma and Allied Studies, Professor David Garway-Heath, at UCL and Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. Other services include a helpline, patient information, patient support groups, events for professionals and patients, as well as providing grants for research funding. It is run by a board of trustees which represents ophthalmologists, optometrists, ophthalmic nurses and people with glaucoma.

To read the report, click here.