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Home Industry News New NICE quality standards ‘will improve glaucoma care quality’

New NICE quality standards ‘will improve glaucoma care quality’

5th April 2011

New glaucoma quality standards published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) have been welcomed as a positive development for ocular healthcare in the UK.

The International Glaucoma Association (IGA) has predicted that the new regulations will help to reduce the number of hospital referrals for suspected glaucoma or ocular hypertension, while maintaining high standards of safety and care quality.

Among the measures outlined by NICE in its statement last week was the return of clinical judgement to optometrists without the need for a referral, as well as initiatives to improve education and empowerment among patients regarding treatment options.

David Wright, chief executive of the IGA, said he particularly welcomes the move to create a register of glaucoma sufferers that makes it easier to see which patients cannot have their appointments safely moved.

He added that these standards are particularly important given the ageing nature of the UK population.

"We can expect an increase in the numbers of people with glaucoma by about a third by 2021 and a continuation of that rate of growth until 2031," Mr Wright explained.ADNFCR-8000103-ID-800487808-ADNFCR

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