Are we doing everything we can for every glaucoma patient?

Giles Edmonds will set the scene by explaining why glaucoma is a particular concern, describing the scale of glaucoma detection and referral that Specsavers is engaged with.

Professor Anthony King, chair of Glaucoma UK, will explain why the charity has adopted a new vision: an end to preventable sight loss from glaucoma, and has extended its strategy to focus on reaching people with important messages about looking after their eyes to end preventable glaucoma sight loss. He will consider the root causes of why people lose sight from glaucoma and the desired long-term outcomes that the charity is aiming for.

Paul Morris will consider the critical role optometrists can play in supporting these activities and achieving these outcomes and consider why supporting optometrists’ development and gaining additional qualifications, and encouraging colleagues to do the same, has been central to the success of community services and improving the quality of primary eye care for patients.

Giles will conclude by highlighting the urgent need for consistency in care models, an enhanced role for optometrists and investment in technology that supports two-way communication between optometrists and ophthalmologists so that more professionals feel better informed and equipped to support people to live well with glaucoma.

Learning outcomes:

Practitioners will be able to identify glaucoma risk factors and advise patients accordingly

Practitioners will recognise opportunities to gain additional qualifications to support collaborative care of glaucoma patients.