People living with glaucoma across Ayrshire can now receive specialist monitoring closer to home following the launch of a new NHS community-based service.
The NHS Scotland Community Glaucoma Service has been introduced in the area, with specially qualified optometrists at Specsavers stores in Kilmarnock and Irvine selected to deliver the scheme.
Gordon Simpson, store director at Specsavers Irvine, and Martin O’Neill, store director at Specsavers Kilmarnock, are among a small number of optometrists in Scotland to have completed an SQA qualification in glaucoma management.
The qualification allows them to monitor patients with lower-risk glaucoma or ocular hypertension within their local practices instead of requiring them to attend hospital for routine appointments.
Patients will first be assessed by the hospital eye service. Those considered suitable for community management can then be transferred to the care of the participating optometrists.
The Ayrshire practices can carry out advanced eye assessments and provide ongoing monitoring while maintaining close links with specialist ophthalmology teams at the hospital.
It is hoped the service will make appointments more convenient for patients while helping to reduce pressure on hospital eye departments over the longer term.
Mr Simpson said the initiative would allow people to continue receiving high-quality glaucoma care in a familiar community way.
He said: “We’re delighted to now be looking after people through the NHS Scotland Community Glaucoma Service.
“Over the last few years, we’ve benefited from outstanding training provided by NHS Education for Scotland and our consultant ophthalmology colleagues at University Hospital Ayr, whose support and expertise have been invaluable.
“Once people have been assessed by the hospital eye service and deemed suitable for community management, they can be discharged into our care.
“This means they can continue to receive the same high standard of glaucoma monitoring and treatment closer to home, without needing to travel to hospital for routine appointments.”
Mr Simpson added that the response from patients had so far been positive, with many welcoming the convenience of receiving their care locally.
Mr O’Neill also thanked the hospital ophthalmology team, mentors and colleagues who supported the optometrists throughout their training.
He said: “Their guidance and trust were invaluable in helping us achieve this qualification and expand the services we can now offer to our community.
“I’m delighted to be part of this new service, which will offer a simpler and more direct way for local people to receive vital eye care to manage their glaucoma.”
Glaucoma is a condition in which the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becomes damaged. Regular monitoring can help identify changes and ensure appropriate treatment is provided.
Anyone wishing to arrange a standard eye examination at Specsavers Irvine can call 01294 313 353 or visit the Specsavers website.