Case Study: Delivering Glaucoma Care in the Community Across Cheshire

6 January 2023

 

Optometrists in Cheshire have been embracing technological advances to review Glaucoma patients closer to home and release capacity within secondary care.

In a case study published as part of Glaucoma awareness month we look at how optometrists are monitoring stable, low risk, ocular hypertension, and glaucoma patients within primary care.

It’s the first service to of its kind to utilise remote virtual management using the Opera IT platform, bridging the primary secondary care divide.

As well as freeing up capacity within secondary care, patients’ satisfaction is high due to the choice of providers and ability to be seen closer to home.

Amy Thompson, Cheshire LOC Secretary, and practice owner of L. Thompson Optometrists in Congleton said:

“Delivering enhanced services keeps my days interesting and varied. It is great to be able to monitor patients locally, especially those that you originally referred for suspect glaucoma.

“My patients have been really positive as it is much more convenient for them to arrange it here with less travel and it has helped grow our patient base as they can see how much we care about their eye health.”

You can find out more about the work that’s been going on in Cheshire here.

The service will continue to build on its success locally with expansion into more practices across Cheshire, and then beyond into the wider ICS region.