Community optometry glaucoma services highlighted to MPs

Glaucoma Awareness Week 2025: 30 June – 6 July

Bhavik Parmar, Specsavers

Community optometrists' capability to deliver more glaucoma care - and ease pressure on hospitals - is being highlighted to MPs during Glaucoma Awareness Week (30 June to 6 July). 

Specsavers in collaboration with Glaucoma UK has provided a briefing note to MPs setting out what glaucoma is, the personal and economic costs of the disease. It also highlights how to better use community optometry to meet patient need in England. 

‘Glaucoma Awareness Week is a valuable opportunity to raise public awareness of glaucoma and the importance of regular eye tests. As part of Specsavers commitment to this sight-saving cause, we have produced this briefing note,’ says Bhavik Parmar, Specsavers' Clinical Performance glaucoma lead.

Optometrists have a key role

‘The briefing highlights how optometrists have a key role to play because they can spot the early signs of glaucoma during a routine eye test. Most glaucoma patients will be identified in primary care optometry, with many cases detected during routine sight tests. 

‘For patients with stable glaucoma, it talks about how optometrists have an ongoing role in monitoring their eye health and helping them to manage their condition.’ 

The briefing sets out how successful existing NHS community glaucoma services have been, with fewer patients needing to attend hospital eye services. But it warns that patients face a postcode lottery in terms of access to community glaucoma services depending on where they live in England. 

Long NHS waiting lists also remain a problem for patients with glaucoma or suspected glaucoma who are referred into hospital in England - but there are solutions, the briefing notes. 

Delivering care more quickly

‘A significant proportion of those currently waiting for hospital eye care could be getting care more quickly if community eye health services were commissioned more consistently across the country,’ it says.  

The briefing also highlights developments in effective integrated pathways for glaucoma patients in community settings. 

Raising awareness

As well as the briefing for MPs, Specsavers will be raising wider public awareness about glaucoma and the importance of regular eye tests. It is also continuing its partnership with charity Glaucoma UK.

Internally, its team of Clinical Performance Consultants will be focused on glaucoma through June, highlighting how clinicians and their teams can raise awareness and support patients with glaucoma.