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Preventing Delay to Follow-up for Patients with Glaucoma
London, UK. June 17, 2009 — UK ophthalmologists and organizations commissioning glaucoma services are being urged to review their systems for the diagnosis and management of open-angle glaucoma in a new report published by the NHS National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA).
The report, titled “Glaucoma: diagnosis and management of chronic open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension”, calls for health organizations to review their systems and processes to minimise the risk of avoidable sight loss in patients with established or suspected glaucoma.
Analysis of data from the NPSA Reporting and Learning System revealed reports of 135 incidents between June 2005 and May 2009 of delayed, postponed or cancelled patient appointments. Forty-four incidents were reported where it “explicitly” stated that due to delays in a follow-up appointment a patient had suffered deterioration in vision, including 13 reports where there had been loss of vision.
The Rapid Response report called for “immediate action” by those who commission glaucoma services, with a deadline for completion of this review being December 10 2009. Among the recommendations for action, eye care specialists were strongly encouraged to make information on glaucoma available to patients and ensure that there is a straight-forward process for patients to reschedule patients when necessary.
From the report: “Primary open angle glaucoma is a progressive eye disease affecting about 2% of adults over the age of 40 years and is capable of causing severe sight loss. The risk of sight loss from glaucoma is greatly reduced by early detection, medical or surgical treatment to reduce intraocular pressure. Stability of the condition can never be assumed and lifelong follow up at regular intervals is essential. Follow up requires expert input, including careful reading of intraocular pressure and interpretation of visual fields and optic disc morphology.”