New-Look Glaucoma Pathways Released Following Expert Review
8 August 2025
LOCSU has completed a review the glaucoma pathway resources and is delighted to publish their new look pathways and supporting clinical pathway guidance.
The resources have been reviewed to ensure they adhere to applicable national guidance, support the delivery of clinical best practice and continue to reflect the evidence base from local innovation and pathway improvement. LOCSU pathways continue to be developed though collaboration; drawing in local innovation, wide sector expertise and lessons learnt from established pathways.
Thanks to all involved and most especially the Glaucoma Clinical Delivery Group members, and their supporting organisations, for their time and expertise given to this work:
- Zoe Richmond and Danielle Ellis – LOCSU
- John Davidson – Northumberland Tyne & Wear LOC
- Peter Rocket – Wolverhampton LOC
- Peter Hampson – AOP
- Bhavik Parmar – FODO
- Max Halford – ABDO
- Daniel Hardiman McCartney – College of Optometrists
- Tom Mackley – Primary Eyecare Services limited
Several changes have been made to the resources to help ensure these national exemplar pathways remain “fit for the future” and assist LOCs in holding local commissioning conversations and in the delivery of the new NHS 10 year plan objectives.
Key changes include:
- New easier to follow format
- Inclusion of OCT where clinically appropriate
- More detailed guidance on long-term Glaucoma care in primary care
- Increase in IOP threshold for urgent referral, to align with College guidance
Several of the recently published LOC Case studies were focused on improving Glaucoma care in primary care. All Glaucoma case studies can be found here with the most recent highlighted below:
Black Country LOCs compared referral activity in areas with and without a Glaucoma Enhanced Case Finding Service to demonstrate that over 800 first outpatient appointments could be saved within the ICB footprint if the service were commissioned consistently, with a 9.6% reduction in referrals to Glaucoma services anticipated.
A small scale Glaucoma monitoring service demonstrates continued benefit and excellent patient experience with 1300 people managed within the Community Optometry service in the last 10years and only 17% requiring return to hospital care. Demonstrating resilience, this service describes a scalable model for long-term glaucoma care in the community and supports national priorities relating to shifting care from hospital to community and optimising workforce capability.
LOCs can expect further supporting information next month, designed to support local service development and implementation.
LOCSU will also host a Glaucoma webinar – details to follow.