New Sight loss guide for general practitioners

3 October 2014 Comments Russell Young, CEO of the IGA on the launch of the new Sight loss in older people guide for general practitioners: “It is estimated there are 600,000 people with glaucoma in the UK, but half remain undetected, GPs can play a vital role in helping to identify people with an increased risk of glaucoma. This includes first degree relatives of a known glaucoma patient, people of African Caribbean descent, myopics and diabetics. GPs can recommend these people, as well as those over the age of 40, have regular eye health checks. GPs are also ideally placed to ensure glaucoma patients are taking their eye drops correctly and are continuing to renew prescriptions. All too often, we hear of patients who struggle with the dropper bottle, have difficulty administering the drop to the eye, and then default from treatment. Glaucoma is life-long, and without the drops, glaucoma patients are at risk of losing sight. We look forward to working with primary care in the future, and are delighted with the launch of this Sight loss in older people guide”.