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The procedure for referring patients with ocular hypertension has changed.

 

The Norfolk and Norwich and James Paget University Hospital Trusts will no longer accept referrals for patients with ocular hypertension alone, unless the raised pressure has been confirmed with repeat readings as per NICE guidelines.

 

If you are not currently involved in the Glaucoma Repeat Readings service, you will need to refer patients with an IOP of 24mmHg or above to a participating practice. If your practice is involved, but you are not accredited, then please ask an accredited optometrist to undertake repeat tonometry and pass the results back to you. You will not need to send this patient to another practice. Normal GRR fees will be applicable.

A list of participating practices can be found below. Please note that the list is liable to change as new practices join, so do check the website regularly for the most up to date listing. Please assist your patient to choose their preferred practice from the list.

Glaucoma Referral Refinement Accredited Practice List 

 

Patients entering the GRR service will undergo the following procedures:

  • Goldmann/Perkins tonometry,
  • optic disc assessment by Volk,
  • anterior chamber angle assessment by Van Herick and
  • visual field assessment equivalent to SITA 24-2 .

Please send a referral letter detailing your original IOP results, disc assessment and a copy of the visual fields to the patient’s chosen practice. The letter should include a preferred telephone number for the patient so that they can be contacted to arrange a suitable appointment.

The GRR practitioner receiving the referral will take full responsibility for assessing the patient’s glaucoma / OHT risk and refer to secondary care if necessary. Responsibility for the rest of the eye examination remains with the first practitioner.

If you wish to join the Glaucoma Repeat Readings service, please contact me.

Deborah Daplyn. Chair NWLOC:     daplyns@hotmail.co.uk