Effect of a punctal plug on ocular surface disease in patients using topical prostaglandin analogues: a randomized controlled trial.

IMPORTANCE: Ocular surface disease (OSD) is common and can reduce treatment compliance and quality of life. BACKGROUND: To determine whether a punctal plug improves OSD and reduces intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients using prostaglandin analogue monotherapy. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty eligible subjects aged >18 years with symptomatic OSD from glaucoma clinics were invited to participate. Lacrimal or glaucoma surgery, lid malposition and contact lens wear were exclusion criteria. METHODS: One eye received an inferior punctal plug, leaving the fellow eye as a control. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Ocular surface disease index (OSDI), tear film breakup time (TF-BUT), Oxford cornea score, tear osmolarity and IOP were compared at baseline and 6 weeks by masked investigators. RESULTS: From 60 eligible, 48 (80.0%) participated (mean age 69.6 years; 60.0% female). OSDI reduced following plug insertion (mean difference [MD] 14.5, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.06-23.94, P < 0.001). Compared to control eyes, in eyes receiving plugs the TF-BUT increased (MD 2.3 s, 95% CI 1.4-3.2, P < 0.001), the Oxford cornea score decreased (MD 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.7, P < 0.001), and tear osmolarity decreased (MD 10 mOsm/L, 95% CI 3.5-16.5, P = 0.003). Punctal plugs resulted in a significantly lowered IOP (MD 1.5 mmHg, 95% CI 0.1-2.9, P = 0.032). Sub-group analyses showed similar efficacy regardless of prostaglandin preservative status or lubricant drop use. Plugs were well tolerated but extrusion occurred in 8.5%, and epiphora increased in 6.5% eyes. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Punctal plug insertion improves subjective and objective measures of OSD and results in a reduced IOP in patients with symptomatic ocular surface disease using prostaglandin analogue monotherapy.

Effectiveness of UK optometric enhanced eye care services: a realist review of the literature.

PURPOSE: UK demographic and legislative changes combined with increasing burdens on National Health Service manpower and budgets have led to extended roles for community optometrists providing locally-commissioned enhanced optometric services (EOS). This realist review's objectives were to develop programme theories that implicitly or explicitly explain quality outcomes for eye care provided by optometrists via EOS and to test these theories by investigating the effectiveness of services for cataract, glaucoma, and primary eye care. METHODS: The review protocol was published on PROSPERO, and RAMESES publication standards were followed. Programme theories were formulated via scoping literature searches and expert consultation. The searching process involved all relevant electronic databases and grey literature, without restrictions on study design. Data synthesis focussed on questioning the integrity of each theory by considering supportive and refuting evidence from the source literature. RESULTS: Good evidence exists for cataract, glaucoma and primary eye care EOS that: with appropriate training, accredited optometrists manage patients commensurate with usual care standards; genuine partnerships can exist between community and hospital providers for cataract and glaucoma EOS; patient satisfaction with all three types of service is high; cost-effectiveness of services is unproven for cataract and primary eye care, while glaucoma EOS cost-effectiveness depends on service type; contextual factors may influence service success. CONCLUSIONS: The EOS reviewed are clinically effective and provide patient satisfaction but limited data is available on cost-effectiveness.

The false negative rate and the role for virtual review in a nationally evaluated glaucoma referral refinement scheme.

PURPOSE: To establish the safety of the CHANGES glaucoma referral refinement scheme (GRRS). METHODS: The CHANGES scheme risk stratifies glaucoma referrals, with low risk referrals seen by a community based specialist optometrist (OSI) while high risk referrals are referred directly to the hospital. In this study, those patients discharged by the OSI were reviewed by the consultant ophthalmologist to establish a 'false negative' rate (Study 1). Virtual review of optic disc photographs was carried out both by a hospital-based specialist optometrist as well as the consultant ophthalmologist (Study 2). RESULTS: None of these 34 discharged patients seen by the consultant were found to have glaucoma or started on treatment to lower the intra-ocular pressure. Five of the 34 (15%) were classified as 'glaucoma suspect' based on the appearance of the optic disc and offered a follow-up appointment. Virtual review by both the consultant and optometrist had a sensitivity of 80%, whilst the false positive rate for the optometrist was 3.4%, and 32% for the consultant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The false negative rate of the OSIs in the CHANGES scheme was 15%, however there were no patients where glaucoma was missed. Virtual review in experienced hands can be as effective as clinical review by a consultant, and is a valid method to ensure glaucoma is not missed in GRRS. The CHANGES scheme, which includes virtual review, is effective at reducing referrals to the hospital whilst not compromising patient safety.

The impact of glaucoma referral refinement criteria on referral to, and first-visit discharge rates from, the hospital eye service: the Health Innovation & Education Cluster (HIEC) Glaucoma Pathways project.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of referral refinement criteria on the number of patients referred to, and first-visit discharges from, the Hospital Eye Service (HES) in relation to the National Institute for Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE) Glaucoma Guidelines, Joint College Group Guidance (JCG) and the NICE commissioning guidance. METHODS: All low-risk (one risk factor: suspicious optic disc, abnormal visual field (VF), raised intra-ocular pressure (IOP) (22-28 mmHg) or IOP asymmetry (>5 mmHg) and high-risk (more than one risk factor, shallow anterior chamber or IOP >28 mmHg) referrals to the HES from 2006 to 2011 were analysed. Low-risk referrals were seen by Optometrists with a specialist interest in glaucoma and high-risk referrals were referred directly to the HES. RESULTS: Two thousand nine hundred and twelve patient records were analysed. The highest Consultant first-visit discharge rates were for referrals based on IOP alone (45% for IOP 22-28 mmHg) and IOP asymmetry (53%), VF defect alone (46%) and for abnormal IOP and VF (54%). The lowest first-visit discharge rates were for referrals for suspicious optic disc (19%) and IOP >28 mmHg (22%). 73% of patients aged 65-80 and 60% of patients aged >80 who were referred by the OSI due to an IOP between 22-28 mmHg would have satisfied the JCG criteria for non-referral. For patients referred with an IOP >28 mmHg and an otherwise normal examination, adherence to the NICE commissioning guidance would have resulted in 6% fewer referrals. In 2010 this scheme reduced the number of patients attending the HES by 15%, which resulted in a saving of £16 258 (13%). CONCLUSION: The results support that referrals for a raised IOP alone or in combination with an abnormal VF be classified as low-risk and undergo referral refinement. Adherence to the JCG and the NICE commissioning guidance as onward referral criteria for specialist optometrists in this referral refinement scheme would result in fewer referrals.

iMIGS: An innovative AI based prediction system for selecting the best patient-specific glaucoma treatment.

The use of AI-based techniques in healthcare are becoming more and more common and more disease-specific. Glaucoma is a disorder in eye that causes damage to the optic nerve which can lead to permanent blindness. It is caused by the elevated pressure inside the eye due to the obstruction to the flow of the drainage fluid (aqueous humor). Most recent treatment options involve minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) in which a stent is placed to improve drainage of aqueous humor from the eye. Each MIGS surgery has a different mechanism of action, and the relative efficacy and chance of success is dependent on multiple patient-specific factors. Hence the ophthalmologists are faced with the critical question; which method would be better for a specific patient, both in terms of glaucoma control but also taking into consideration patient quality of life? In this paper, an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) has been developed in the form of a Treatment Advice prediction system that will offer the clinician a suggested MIGS treatment from the baseline clinical parameters. ANFIS was used with a real-world MIGS data set which was a retrospective case series of 372 patients who underwent either of the four MIGS procedures from July 2016 till May 2020 at a single center in the UK.•Inputs used: Clinical measurements of Age, Visual Acuity, Intraocular Pressure (IOP), and Visual Field, etc.•Output Classes: iStent, iStent and Endoscopic Cyclophotocoagulation (ICE2), PreserFlo MicroShunt (PMS) and XEN-45).•Results: The proposed ANFIS system was found to be 91% accurate with high Sensitivity (80%) and Specificity (90%).

Impact of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery on the ocular surface and quality of life in patients with glaucoma.

Background: Minimally invasive glaucoma procedures are emerging as clinically effective and safe glaucoma management approaches; however, evidence regarding quality-of-life outcomes is limited. Objectives: To explore the impact of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) combined with phacoemulsification on patient-reported outcomes and clinical parameters related to ocular surface disease in people with glaucoma. Design: Retrospective observational study. Methods: Fifty-seven consecutive patients were examined prior to undergoing iStent combined with phacoemulsification with or without adjunctive endocyclophotocoagulation and at 4-month follow-up. Results: At follow-up, on average patients returned statistically significantly improved scores on glaucoma-specific (GQL-15, p < 0.001; GSS, p < 0.001), general health (EQ-5D, p = 0.02) and ocular surface PROMs (OSDI, p = 0.001). Patients were using fewer eye drops on average after MIGS compared with before surgery (1.1 ± 0.9 versus 1.8 ± 0.8; p < 0.001). Undergoing MIGS was associated with improved tear film break-up time (p < 0.001) and reduced corneal fluorescein staining (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This retrospective audit shows quality of life and clinical parameters related to the ocular surface are improved following MIGS combined with phacoemulsification in patients previously treated with anti-glaucoma therapy.

A comparison of iStent combined with phacoemulsification and endocyclophotocoagulation (ICE2) with the PreserFlo MicroShunt and XEN-45 implants.

Background: Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), including minimally invasive bleb surgery (MIBS), is a rapidly evolving area of research and clinical interest in ophthalmology. The growing number of devices has necessitated evaluations to identify subtle differences in outcomes between treatments. Objectives: To compare clinical effectiveness and safety outcomes of iStent combined with endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ICE2) with bleb forming PreserFlo MicroShunt (PMS) and XEN-45 gel implant in a 24-month retrospective review. Design: A retrospective review of patient records. Methods: We compared outcomes of 247 patients undergoing one of three glaucoma procedures (ICE2 = 162; PMS = 48; XEN-45 = 37) at a single facility in the United Kingdom. Clinical records were reviewed retrospectively between July 2016 and May 2020. Pairwise comparisons and within group analyses were performed to assess intraocular pressure (IOP), best-corrected LogMAR visual acuity (BCVA), the Humphrey visual fields and antiglaucoma medication outcomes across the three treatment groups. Results: No statistically significantly differences in IOP between the groups at day 7, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months. PMS had statistically significantly change in IOP between baseline and day 7 compared with ICE2 (p = 0.003). BCVA was statistically significant different at 24 months between the ICE2 compared with PMS group (0.12 versus 0.33 LogMAR; p = 0.002). PMS group achieved the largest decline in medication usage between baseline a 24-month follow-up (2.9 versus 0.9; p < 0.001), with no statistically significant difference in the number of antiglaucoma medications being used between groups at 24 months. Postoperative complications in all three groups were transient and could be resolved with office-based interventions. Conclusion: Real-world outcomes after 24 months were similar between patients undergoing MIGS and MIBS procedures.

Outcomes of phacoemulsification combined with two iStent inject trabecular microbypass stents with or without endocyclophotocoagulation.

AIM: Comparing outcomes after combined phacoemulsification, two iStents insertion and endocyclophotocoagulation (ECP) versus phacoemulsification-iStents alone. METHODS: This is a longitudinal retrospective 12 months study in eyes with ocular hypertension or early-to-moderate open angle glaucoma. Level of disease, intraocular pressure (IOP) and tolerance of glaucoma medication were considered before planning surgery. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA-logMAR), IOP (mm Hg), number of medications were assessed at baseline, week 1, week 5, month 3, 6, 12 postop. MAIN OUTCOME: percentage (%) in IOP reduction at 12 months vs medicated baseline. SECONDARY OUTCOMES: absolute values of IOP/medication reduction, BCVA and postop complications. RESULTS: The ICE2 (two iStents-cataract extraction-ECP) group included 63 eyes and Phaco-iStent group included 46 eyes. Baseline IOP was higher in the ICE2 than phaco-iStent group (19.97±4.31 mm Hg vs 17.63±3.86 mm Hg, p=0.004) and mean deviation was lower (-7.20±2.58 dB vs -4.94±4.51 dB, p=0.037). Number of medications were comparable at baseline: 2.22±1.06 (ICE2) vs 2.07±1.02 (phaco-iStent), p=0.442. At month 12 postop, IOP in the ICE2 group decreased 35% from baseline vs 21% in the phaco-iStent group (p=0.03); absolute IOP reduction was significantly lower than baseline in each group (p<0.001), yet final IOP was lower in the ICE2 group than phaco-iStent group (13.05±2.18 mm Hg vs 14.09±1.86 mm Hg, p=0.01). Similar results were found for glaucoma medication (1.24±1.05 in ICE2 group vs 1.39±1.03 in phaco-iStent group, p=0.01). Final BCVA was 0.11±0.18 (phaco-iStent group) vs 0.08±0.08 (ICE2 group), p=0.309. Safety outcomes were comparable between groups. CONCLUSION: ICE2 procedure offers better results in IOP/medication reduction at 12 months than phacoemulsification-iStents alone.

Twenty-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed glaucoma: mortality and visual function.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine the mortality within 20 years of diagnosis of chronic open-angle glaucoma (COAG) and visual acuity and visual field progression of a cohort followed for 20 years. METHODS: Twenty years following the diagnosis of COAG in 68 of 436 (16%) patients seen in a glaucoma case-finding clinic, visual and mortality outcomes were audited from medical records. Causes of death were obtained from general practitioner records and death certificates. Probability of death was calculated using a Kaplan-Meier survival curve. The visual field of each eye of survivors was graded using a nine-stage severity scale. Visual outcome was analysed at the 20-year follow-up visit. RESULTS: From 68, 14 (21%) were lost to follow-up. In the remaining 54, 20 (37%) were alive 20 years after diagnosis. Of 63% who died, mean age of death was 84 years, most commonly due to vascular disease. Mean age at presentation of those who died was 73.7 years versus 63.2 years for survivors (P=0.001). The median time to death was 16 years. On visual field analysis, nearly half (48.9%) of eyes did not deteriorate, but 28.3% eyes deteriorated by more than two stages. Those who died had worse final visual acuity than survivors (P<0.001). Three who died were registered severely visually impaired mainly from macular disease, but no survivors were registered (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: In this cohort, approximately two-thirds of patients with glaucoma died within 20 years of diagnosis. In most older patients with glaucoma, the overall goal of preventing visual handicap and blindness is achievable 20 years after diagnosis.

Microperimetry and optical coherence tomography imaging in the fellow eye of patients with unilateral focal ischaemic glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To determine whether microperimetry or optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging can detect early disease in the fellow eye of patients with unilateral focal ischaemic glaucoma. METHODS: Thirty-seven consecutive adult patients with unilateral focal ischaemic glaucoma with a unilateral split-fixation visual field defect on standard automated perimetry (SAP) with normal SAP in the fellow eye were selected. All patients underwent microperimetry (MAIA, CenterVue, Italy) of the central 10 degrees and OCT imaging (Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering, Germany) of the retinal nerve fibre layer of both eyes. The main outcome measures were reduced retinal sensitivity on microperimetry and/or retinal nerve fibre layer thinning on OCT imaging of the fellow eye. RESULTS: Thirty fellow eyes had abnormal global thresholds on microperimetry, and 20 had abnormal OCT imaging studies. Kappa agreement between tests in fellow eyes was poor (p = 0.2546). Fixation was significantly poorer in fellow eyes on microperimetry when compared to eyes with glaucoma (p < 0.003). In the fellow eyes that were abnormal, microperimetry identified reduced retinal sensitivity at fixation. CONCLUSION: Microperimetry detects reduced retinal sensitivity close to fixation and OCT detects focal thinning of the retinal nerve fibre layer in the fellow eye of most patients with presumed unilateral focal ischaemic glaucoma. Further studies are required to correlate specific optic disc features on OCT imaging with microperimetry in the fellow eye of this patient group.

The effect of trabeculectomy surgery on the central visual field in patients with glaucoma using microperimetry and optical coherence tomography.

PURPOSE: To determine the functional and structural effects of trabeculectomy surgery on patients with advanced glaucoma and central visual field defects in the early post-operative period. METHODS: Thirty consecutive adult subjects with advanced glaucoma requiring trabeculectomy surgery and an established visual field defect within 10° of fixation underwent microperimetry (MAIA MP-1, CenterVue, Padova, Italy) and optic disc optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging (Spectralis, Heidelberg Engineering, Germany) pre-operatively, and 1 month and 3 months following trabeculectomy surgery. Main outcome measures were post-trabeculectomy change in mean threshold on microperimetry and nerve fibre layer thickness on OCT. Fellow eyes were used as controls. RESULTS: The mean change in MP average threshold values from pre-operative to post-operative was 0.6 ± 1.9 dB for treated eyes and 0.1 ± 1.3 dB for control eyes (p = 0.14) at 1 month and 0.2 ± 2.3 and -0.3 ± 1.6 dB at 3 months (p = 0.22). Mean change in global nerve fibre layer thickness was -0.6 and -0.5 µm for operated and control eyes, respectively (p = 0.83), at 1 month and 0.8 and -0.4 µm at 3 months (p = 0.88). The kappa agreement for structure-function correlation between OCT and MP was 0.735 (confidence interval 0.59-0.88) (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Central visual function and retinal nerve fibre layer thickness appear to be preserved in glaucoma patients with central visual field defects undergoing trabeculectomy surgery in the early post-operative period. These data may inform glaucoma surgeons considering trabeculectomy surgery in this patient group.

Surgeon perspectives on learning ab-interno gelatin microstent implantation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the surgeon's learning experience with an ab-interno gelatin microstent (XEN-45, Allergan) to other glaucoma surgeries. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey study. METHODS: All surgeons in Canada who used the gelatin microstent were identified and given an anonymous online survey (FluidSurveys, Survey Monkey) designed to evaluate key factors associated with the device, including prior surgical experience, patient selection criteria, analysis of each surgical step, and postoperative care. The survey was validated using input from 3 experienced glaucoma surgeons. RESULTS: Surgeons were in early to mid-career (11.8 ± 7.2 operating years) and experienced with filtration surgery (94.1% very comfortable). Surgeons would more commonly operate on patients who had moderate to advanced disease (88.2% and 76.5% of surgeons felt appropriate to operate, respectively); had a diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma or pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (70.6%); were on 2, 3, or 4 glaucoma medications (70.6%, 75.5%, 70.6%, respectively); and had previously undergone microinvasive glaucoma surgery (83.3%). Creation of the scleral tunnel into the subconjunctival space was rated the most difficult step of the surgery. Most surgeons (52.9%) required 6-10 cases to be comfortable with the procedure and felt it was easier to gain proficiency with ab-interno microstent implantation than traditional filtration surgery (94.1% agree or strongly agree). CONCLUSION: The group of glaucoma surgeons surveyed felt it was easier to gain proficiency with gelatin microstent implantation than with traditional filtration surgery.

Impact of cataract surgery on sleep in patients receiving either ultraviolet-blocking or blue-filtering intraocular lens implants.

PURPOSE: Although visual impairment is a well-recognized consequence of cataract development, little is known about the ability of the melanopsin-based photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (pRGCs) to regulate sleep-wake timing in the presence of cataract. In this study, we replaced a cataractous natural crystalline lens with two different types of artificial intraocular lenses, a UV-blocking lens or a blue-filtering lens. We investigated the level of sleep disturbance before cataract surgery and any change in sleep due to improved light transmission following surgery and compared this in both types of intraocular lens. METHODS: Quality of sleep in 961 patients undergoing cataract surgery was assessed by administering the validated self-reported Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire. The PSQI distinguishes good sleepers from poor sleepers by scoring seven different sleep components over the last month, which are combined to produce an overall score for sleep quality. Patients received either an ultraviolet-blocking (UVB) clear intraocular lens (IOL) or a blue-filtering (BF) IOL. Questionnaires were completed four times: 1 month preoperatively and again 1, 6 (UVB-IOL only), and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Half of the patients reported poor sleep in the presence of cataract in both the UVB-IOL (mean PSQI = 6.35; SD = 3.82) and BF-IOL (mean PSQI = 6.39; SD = 4.04) groups. Cataract removal improved overall sleep quality significantly 1 month postoperatively in the UVB-IOL (mean PSQI = 5.89; SD = 3.71) and BF-IOL (mean PSQI = 6.08; SD = 3.88) groups. Sleep latency also improved for the UVB-IOL (preoperative mean = 1.16; SD = 1.003) and BF-IOL (preoperative mean = 1.17; SD = 1.03) groups at 1 month (UVB-IOL group mean = 1.01; SD = 0.923 and BF-IOL group mean = 1.00; SD = 0.95), which was sustained at 6 months for the UVB-IOL group (mean = 1.02; SD = 0.93) and 12 months for both the UVB-IOL and BF-IOL groups (6 months: UVB-IOL group mean = 0.96; SD = 0.92 and for the BF-IOL group mean = 0.99; SD = 0.96). CONCLUSIONS: Overall sleep quality and sleep latency improves after removal of cataract irrespective of the type of IOL implanted. These data show that implantation of BF-IOL does not have a negative impact on the sleep-wake cycle.

Intravitreal injections using a novel conjunctival mould: a comparison with a conventional technique.

AIMS: The aims were to compare a novel conjunctival mould used to assist the delivery of intravitreal drugs to a conventional technique with respect to patient, surgeon and cost benefit. METHODS: A prospective review of 200 intravitreal injections was undertaken, 100 using a 'conventional' freehand technique (group 1) and 100 using a novel conjunctival mould (group 2). Intraoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, patient preference, surgeon perception of the ease of insertion of the conjunctival mould were recorded as well as a cost comparison. RESULTS: VAS pain score in the conventional group was 2.58 compared to 1.38 in the conjunctival mould group (p<0.01). The surgeon reported the insertion of the conjunctival mould as easy in 89 cases, moderate in 10 cases, and difficult in one case. The cost saving with a conjunctival mould pack compared to a conventional pack was £7.70; an annual saving of £19,250 for the trust. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in the VAS pain score with the conjunctival mould was statistically significant (p<0.01). The surgeons found that the device, which was easy to insert, offered excellent globe stability and a safe, reproducible entry site and angle of needle insertion.

The effect of changes in referral behaviour following NICE guideline publication on agreement of examination findings between professionals in an established glaucoma referral refinement pathway: the Health Innovation & Education Cluster (HIEC) Glaucoma Pathways project.

AIM: To investigate whether the publication of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) glaucoma guidelines had an effect on the agreement of examination findings between professionals involved in an established glaucoma referral refinement pathway. METHODS: To report inter-professional agreement for the clinical examination findings of optometrists with a special interest in glaucoma (OSI), optometrists with no specialist interest in glaucoma (non-OSI) and a glaucoma consultant. Part 1 investigated agreement between an OSI and consultant and part 2 investigated agreement of clinical findings between the non-OSI and a specialist clinician (OSI or consultant). RESULTS: Part 1: Agreement between OSI and consultant in determining an abnormal intraocular pressure (IOP) (>21 mm Hg) expressed as a percentage positive predictive value (PPPV) was no different pre-NICE (60.6%) and post-NICE (61.4%, p=0.51) guidelines. PPPV for identification of an abnormal optic disc was better pre-NICE (60.6%) than post-NICE (42.7%, p=0.02). The appropriate referral rate for patients referred by an OSI was higher pre-NICE (69.6%) than post-NICE (61.2%) (p=0.07). Part 2: The PPPV between non-OSI and specialist clinician for an abnormal IOP was better pre-NICE (62.5%) than post-NICE (50.9%, p=0.12). This was also observed for abnormal optic discs, 70.0% pre-NICE and 52.9% post-NICE (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The accuracy for detecting an abnormal IOP by the OSI has remained unchanged post-NICE, but there was a reduction in accuracy in detecting an abnormal optic disc as well as the appropriate referral rate. For the non-OSI, there was a decline in both IOP and optic disc assessment accuracy.

The effectiveness of schemes that refine referrals between primary and secondary care--the UK experience with glaucoma referrals: the Health Innovation & Education Cluster (HIEC) Glaucoma Pathways Project.

OBJECTIVES: A comparison of glaucoma referral refinement schemes (GRRS) in the UK during a time period of considerable change in national policy and guidance. DESIGN: Retrospective multisite review. SETTING: The outcomes of clinical examinations by optometrists with a specialist interest in glaucoma (OSIs) were compared with optometrists with no specialist interest in glaucoma (non-OSIs). Data from Huntingdon and Nottingham assessed non-OSI findings, while Manchester and Gloucestershire reviewed OSI findings. PARTICIPANTS: 1086 patients. 434 patients were from Huntingdon, 179 from Manchester, 204 from Gloucestershire and 269 from Nottingham. RESULTS: The first-visit discharge rate (FVDR) for all time periods for OSIs was 14.1% compared with 36.1% from non-OSIs (difference 22%, CI 16.9% to 26.7%; p<0.001). The FVDR increased after the April 2009 National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) glaucoma guidelines compared with pre-NICE, which was particularly evident when pre-NICE was compared with the current practice time period (OSIs 6.2-17.2%, difference 11%, CI -24.7% to 4.3%; p=0.18, non-OSIs 29.2-43.9%, difference 14.7%, CI -27.8% to -0.30%; p=0.03). Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) was the commonest reason for referral for OSIs and non-OSIs, 28.7% and 36.1%, respectively, of total referrals. The proportion of referrals for elevated IOP increased from 10.9% pre-NICE to 28.0% post-NICE for OSIs, and from 19% to 45.1% for non-OSIs. CONCLUSIONS: In terms of 'demand management', OSIs can reduce FVDR of patients reviewed in secondary care; however, in terms of 'patient safety' this study also shows that overemphasis on IOP as a criterion for referral is having an adverse effect on both the non-OSIs and indeed the OSIs ability to detect glaucomatous optic nerve features. It is recommended that referral letters from non-OSIs be stratified for risk, directing high-risk patients straight to secondary care, and low-risk patients to OSIs.