rss
Br J Ophthalmol 2006;90:640-645 doi:10.1136/bjo.2005.085522
  • Perspective

The future of glaucoma clinics

  1. A M S Morley1 and
  2. I Murdoch2
  1. 1Moorfields Eye Hospital, 162, City Road, London EC1V 2PD, UK
  2. 2Department of Epidemiology and Preventative Ophthalmology, Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
  1. Correspondence to: MsAna M S Morley MA, MRCOphth, Moorfields Eye Hospital, 162, City Road, London EC1V 2PD, UK; susie{at}morleys.net
  • Accepted 19 December 2005

Abstract

The number of patients seen with glaucoma related pathologies is predicted to increase significantly over the next few years as a result of an ageing population, increased optometric screening, and raised public awareness. In addition, the recent glaucoma literature proposes more aggressive management of ocular hypertension, open angle glaucoma, and narrow angle pathologies. This will overburden many glaucoma services and demands a reappraisal of current management strategies. Using a database of patients compiled from their tertiary referral glaucoma service as an example, the authors discuss the current controversies relating to each glaucoma subtype, encompassing issues relating to disease prognosis, efficacy of treatment, and resource management. They also suggest a range of strategies aimed at streamlining glaucoma clinics. Examples include shared care schemes, multidisciplinary teams, clinic guidelines/protocols, and alteration of clinic review times. The predicted effect of such schemes on clinic workloads is discussed, together with any existing validation.

Notes

    This Article

    1. Abstract
    2. Full text
    3. PDF

    Responses

    1. Submit a response
    2. No responses published

    Register for free content

    The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

    Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.