The NHS Community Glaucoma Service is a new service which makes it possible for eligible patients with lower risk glaucoma and treated ocular hypertension to be discharged from hospital and receive the same high quality care in a more flexible and timely manner in the community, closer to home and where there may be less of a requirement for travel.
NHS Community Glaucoma Service accredited providers are specialist community optometrists who are fully qualified in the ongoing treatment and management of glaucoma and ocular hypertension, and have access to information regarding the care the patient has received previously from their hospital consultant.
In order to receive care under the NHS Community Glaucoma Service, patients need to be first assessed by a consultant hospital ophthalmologist as being eligible to receive care in this way. Once this has occurred, eligible patients will receive a letter from the hospital explaining how they can register to receive care under the service.
Patients registered under the NHS Community Glaucoma Service can continue to have a free NHS eye examination at any community optometry practice in Scotland - this does not have to be the same practice they are registered with for the NHS Community Glaucoma Service.