Ongoing optometrist training may increase earlier glaucoma detection

Training optometrists on improved glaucoma detection can help increase referrals to specialists in a community, according to a British study.

U.D.M. Patel and colleagues at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London studied results from a concerted effort by three communities to adequately train optometrists on early glaucoma detection. The number of optometrist-initiated referrals to hospitals for suspected glaucoma detection was tracked over the course of 1 year.

During the 12-month period, a total of 376 new referrals for suspected glaucoma were assessed. There was a 58% increase in the number of referrals when compared to the previous year’s referrals, according to the study.

“The increase in referral numbers was limited to glaucoma when compared with new referrals for cataract,” the authors said.

The study is published in the May issue of Eye.