Glaucoma: diagnosis and management- updated guidance (NG81)
Following a review of the evidence, recommendations from 2017 on treatment for ocular hypertension and chronic open angle glaucoma and organisation of care have been updated (these recommendations are marked [2022] in updated guidance).
Source:
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
SPS commentary:
A press release announces that people newly diagnosed with glaucoma and ocular hypertension (OHT) should now initially be offered selective laser therapy (SLT) treatment rather than eye drops. The change in approach to treatment would see an increase in routine use of SLT, a procedure where a laser is applied through a contact lens to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients. The increased use of this treatment would reduce the use of eye drops and potentially decrease the need for some patients to undergo cataract or intraocular pressure lowering surgery. It is noted that the reduced use of eye drops, and cataract or intraocular lowering surgery, would more than cover the costs of introducing SLT more widely, including training staff and purchasing the equipment. It is estimated implementing this guideline for England in the next five years would result in a saving of around £87,500 in 2021/22, rising to around £400,000 by 2025/26.