LOCSU Launch New Series of Glaucoma Case Studies
26 May 2026
LOCSU have produced a trio of case studies describing community-based optometry delivered glaucoma monitoring pathways across three different LOCs.
The case studies detail services in Ashton, Leigh and Wigan (ALW), Norfolk and Waveney, and Newcastle (Northumberland, Tyne and Wear (NTW)), highlighting the workforce models in place.
Zoe Richmond, LOCSU Clinical Director, said: “Glaucoma is the second leading cause of irreversible sight loss in the UK and demand for ophthalmology services continues to grow with long waits and delayed care an inevitable reality for many people.
“To meet the needs of an ever-aging population, and to help prevent avoidable sight loss, England requires consistent and increased commissioning of enhanced optometry services for glaucoma referral filtering and monitoring, following the exemplar LOCSU pathway.
“Optometrists and their practice teams are already delivering accessible glaucoma care, the LOCSU case studies show how services are working on the ground and the new GIRFT guidance now gives us the tools to go further.”
Ashton, Leigh and Wigan and Northumberland, Tyne and Wear LOCs
Well-governed, primary care delivered, protocol-led glaucoma monitoring pathways (as demonstrated by NTW and ALW LOCs) can safely shift long-term monitoring of stable, low-risk patients from Hospital Eye Services (HES) into accredited community optometric practice, releasing meaningful secondary-care capacity while maintaining clinical standards and good governance.
These community pathways improve the patient experience (better access, less travel/parking burden, shorter appointments, and local continuity of care), strengthen optometry practices (deeper patient relationships, professional development, and integration of glaucoma care into advanced practice), and support workforce growth through increased uptake of glaucoma qualifications.
Overall, the models provide a scalable blueprint for other LOCs and ICBs to sustain glaucoma services by maximising the existing workforce and delivering more care closer to home as part of an integrated eye-care system.
Norfolk and Waveney LOC
The local optometry service in Norfolk and Waveney exemplifies how collaborative, community-based care within optometry can effectively reduce pressure on secondary services while maintaining excellent patient outcomes and satisfaction. Over 1,300 patients have been seen to date within the Optometry Glaucoma Monitoring Service with 83% fully managed in primary care with 100% patient satisfaction responses.
As pressures on the HES continue to grow, this pathway provides a scalable model for long-term, low-risk glaucoma care in the community and supports national priorities around shifting care from hospital to community and optimising workforce capability.