More than two years on from the start of the pandemic, NHS eye care services are still facing an almighty backlog as well as a growing demand for care.
With long waiting lists, many eye care professionals are concerned about a potential ‘tidal wave’ of avoidable sight loss, particularly due to glaucoma.
Routine eye tests are the best way to spot problems early. Treatment is effective and regular monitoring will identify patients at risk of sight loss. But with routine eye testing in the community restricted during the pandemic and the struggle NHS eye care services have to cope with the backlog and new demands, there’s been an unmistakable impact on patients’ vision all across the UK.
We commissioned Deloitte Access Economics to find the alternative care models carried out in the UK to help inform how treating and detecting glaucoma could be improved. This report highlights examples of integrated care pathways that are delivering high-quality glaucoma care.
The pandemic accelerated a period of great innovation in the eye care sector to help as much as possible (like introducing virtual clinics, tools to help prioritise high-risk patients and using community-based professionals, like high street opticians, to monitor lower-risk patients), but more needs to be done to improve pathways to care for glaucoma patients in the UK.
Dr Michael Mosley on why looking after our eyes is so important
Eye tests are important to make sure you’re wearing the right glasses or contact lenses, but what a lot of people don’t realise is that there is so much more that can be picked up by eye tests.
Your eyes can also give an early indication of general health issues, like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, rheumatoid arthritis, some kinds of cancer and dementia.1,2 In fact, recent research shows that an eye exam has the potential to predict the risk of having a heart attack.3
As well as physical health, vision plays a critical role in our mental wellbeing. Loss of vision has been linked to loneliness, social isolation, anxiety, fear and depression.4
So it’s worth making a regular visit to your optometrist who can help make sure that your eyes, and even health, stay in tip-top condition.
Glaucoma at a glance
- Glaucoma accounts for more than 20% of outpatient appointments in hospital eye care5
- More than 2 million people are at risk of vision loss due to glaucoma6
- The Royal College of Ophthalmologists anticipates a 44% increase in demand for glaucoma services by 20357
- If glaucoma is in the family, close relatives can be up to ten times more likely to develop it8
Michael’s story
When Michael Bayley, 65, broke his glasses, he went to his community optician to get them fixed. Michael was shocked to learn that there was a problem with the pressure in his eyes and he was referred to hospital.
After constant treatment and multiple surgeries, Michael’s ophthalmologist told him that his glaucoma had reached an advanced stage in early 2020, at which point he stopped working and driving.
When the hospital implemented changes to respond to the pandemic, Michael’s pressures were stable, so his regular appointments were reduced. But at his next appointment, ten months later than originally planned, Michael’s vision had deteriorated significantly, and he was registered as severely sight-impaired.
Understandably, these changes were confusing and stressful for Michael, but speaking to a friendly voice at East Cheshire Eye Society and getting involved in activities has given him a new lease of life.
‘I thought my life was over when I lost my sight. Now I meet other people and tell them it’s not. I’ve gone through it and if I can help one person deal with it, I’m happy.’
If you are experiencing any problems with your eyes or vision you can book an appointment at your nearest store.
Just click on the button below and add your postcode and we’ll find your nearest store. If you have any serious concerns about your eye health you can find the phone number of your local store and call them directly to explain the situation.
Jean’s story
During the pandemic Jean Bamber’s sight deteriorated considerably. She has dry macular degeneration and described seeing ‘fish-shaped blobs’ in front of her vision. As she was finding it difficult to read and watch TV, her community optometrist referred her to Sight Advice South Lakes for support.
With a visit from a sight loss co-ordinator, Mrs Bamber learned how to activate the magnifier on her iPad, about Talking Books, how to access audio description on her TV, and how artificial intelligence can help people with reduced vision.
She was eager to try the Seeing AI App to help her read text and is now experimenting with other reading devices. At a Low Vision Clinic, Mrs Bamber was prescribed an appropriate LED magnifier and enjoyed a demonstration of a wide range of assistive technology.
‘Thanks to the referral from my local optician, I have accessed a huge range of services that will help me keep doing the things I love.’
Read the full report
If you'd like to read the full report, you can download it here.
For an accessible version, please email pressoffice@specsavers.com
All about glaucoma
Everything you need to know about the types, symptoms, causes and treatment.
References
1. Schaneman, J. et al. (2010). The role of comprehensive eye exams in the early detection of diabetes and other chronic diseases in an employed population. Population health management, 13(4), 195–199. https://doi. org/10.1089/pop.2009.0050
2. Chiquita, S. et al. (2019). The Retina as a Window or Mirror of the Brain Changes Detected in Alzheimer’s Disease: Critical Aspects to Unravel. Molecular neurobiology, 56(8), 5416–5435. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-018-1461-6
3. Villaplana Velasco A. (2022). Abstract C22.6: Decreased retinal vascular complexity is an early biomarker of myocardial infarction supported by a shared genetic control. Abstract presented at the Annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics, in Vienna, Austria.
4. Lundeen, E. A. et al. (2022). Self-Reported Vision Impairment and Psychological Distress in U.S. Adults. Ophthalmic epidemiology, 29(2), 171–181. https://doi.org/10.1080/092865... 18177
5. Royal College of Ophthalmologists. (2017). The Way Forward. https://www.rcophth.ac.uk/ wp-content/uploads/2021/12/RCOphth-The-WayForward-Glaucoma-300117.pdf
6. NEHEM. (2013). National Eye Health Epidemiological Model. Data and models by Public Health Action Support Team, published by Local Optical Committee Support Unit. Prevalences applied to subnational population projections.
7. Royal College of Ophthalmologists. (2017). The Way Forward. https://www.rcophth.ac.uk/ wp-content/uploads/2021/12/RCOphth-The-WayForward-Glaucoma-300117.pdf
8. Okeke C. (2016). Familial Glaucoma Risk: Spreading the Word. Review of Ophthalmology, July. https://www.reviewofophthalmol... article/familial-glaucoma-risk-spreading-theword