Eye disease pilot for community

Glaucoma generally affects people as they get older, say experts

Community based treatment of the eye disease glaucoma is to be piloted, with the hope of rolling it out across Wales.

A GP practice in Vale of Glamorgan and an optometrists in Carmarthenshire have been chosen for the six month trial.

The new diagnostic units will link up electronically with hospitals.

Experts estimate a third of the 30,000 patients treated for glaucoma every year in Wales could be treated in the community rather than in hospital.

The condition has no symptoms in the early stages but causes loss of peripheral vision and so-called "tunnel vision".

Eye disease hits 'joy of living'

Health minister Edwina Hart, announcing the pilot, said "swift access" to diagnosis was important.

It would initially target patients with stable glaucoma or ocular hypertension to be followed up in the community, close to home.

"This will avoid unnecessary hospital outpatient visits," said Ms Hart.

WHAT IS GLAUCOMA? Glaucoma is a condition in which the optic nerve suffers damage at the back of the eye It causes patchy loss of vision that varies in severity from patient to patient Without treatment, loss of vision usually gets worse over months or years. This is permanent, but early treatment can minimise it Blindness from glaucoma is rare and usually occurs because the glaucoma is already advanced People of African-Caribbean origin have about four times the risk of primary open angle glaucoma as white people; other risk groups are people with a family history of glaucoma and diabetics Source: www.glaucoma-association.com

"As the pilot develops, so will the clinical experience to provide an all Wales service to enhance glaucoma care to patients in Wales."

A doctors' surgery in Barry will start the trial in September, followed by an optometry practice in Llandeilo.

Mr Richard Roberts, chief optometric advisor to the Welsh Assembly Government, said glaucoma was the commonest cause of irreversible, yet preventable, blindness in Wales.

"Glaucoma generally affects people as they get older, mainly people over 60," he said.

"As Wales' population continues to get older, which is something that we should celebrate, there is an increasing likelihood that more people will require tests and treatment for glaucoma.

"It is therefore important we look at ways to increase capacity so that we will be able to meet this demand swiftly and effectively."

Penny Mellott, 59, from Cardiff, was diagnosed last year and said she had no symptoms, but urged people to have regular eye tests.

Communit-based treatment of glaucoma is being trialled in the Vale of Glamorgan and Carmarthenshire

"It was not in my family, and it was not something I would have thought about."

She now takes eye drops and has hospital check-ups.

Sarah Rochira, director of RNIB Cymru, said she was "delighted" the Welsh Assembly Government was funding the pilots.

"We hope that this will release the pressure on hospital eye clinics who currently manage on-going treatment of glaucoma patients," she said.

The charity said it advised everyone to have their eye health checked every two years, or every year after the age of 60 and to check any change in vision immediately.