Glaucoma Pathway Reform
27 August 2026
Glaucoma Pathway Reform
Primary Eye Care Must Be Central to Reimagined Glaucoma Care Pathways
A recent joint sector webinar hosted by the College of Optometrists, LOCSU, AOP, FODO, and ABDO—alongside newly released GIRFT (Getting It Right First Time) best practice guidance—outlines a clear, modernized direction for UK glaucoma services.
Key Takeaways & Strategic Direction:
- Shift to Primary Care: Transitioning low-risk and routine follow-up care from overstretched secondary hospitals directly into primary community optometry practices.
- Tackling Delays: With approximately 40% of glaucoma follow-ups currently delayed nationally, community pathways offer vital capacity for referral refinement and enhanced case finding.
- Digitally Integrated Pathways: Moving away from fragmented, paper-based referral models towards a unified Single Point of Access supporting fluid two-way data flow.
- Enablers for Success: The AOP emphasized that sustainable implementation requires fair funding, formalized commissioning, robust clinical governance, and direct consultant oversight.
Advocacy & Commissioning: While the GIRFT guidance is non-mandatory, it provides Local Optical Committees with a strong, evidence-backed framework when negotiating expanded glaucoma pathways with regional Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).
Read the comprehensive clinical framework and national guidance via the link below.
Read The Framework
Explore the full GIRFT clinical guidance on preventing avoidable sight loss:
North Yorkshire LOC Latest News
Next Meeting
Events Next LOC Meeting Monday 7th December Online meeting @ 7:00pm via Zoom Contact Admin@Northyorkshireloc.co.uk Upcoming LOC Events View full details and upcoming dates on our events page: View Events Page
2 October 2026
Working together with our local HES
Working together with our local Hospital Eye Services What was discussed on 22 September 2026, and what it means for your practice Representatives from the York Ophthalmology Team and North Yorkshire LOC met to follow up on the July discussion about emergency eye care pathways. The meeting included the York Urgent Eye Service, IP optometrists …
Continue reading “Working together with our local HES”
2 October 2026
Community Eye Care Services Contract
Community Eye Care Services Contract We understand there has been some uncertainty, and we would like to offer some reassurance. While formal documentation is still pending, we expect the current contract to be extended. This will ensure the continued provision of essential patient access to CECS/MECS services while longer-term arrangements are finalised. We will provide …
Continue reading “Community Eye Care Services Contract”
2 October 2026
Hold the Line
Hold the Line: Why North Yorkshire Practices Should Stay United on eRS and Unfunded Work A message to community optometrists and dispensing opticians across North Yorkshire LOCSU and the Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) have issued a call for LOCs and their practices to remain united while national discussions with DHSC and NHSE continue. Here …
Continue reading “Hold the Line”
2 October 2026
i-SIGHT 2 Clinical Study
i-SIGHT 2 Dry AMD Clinical Study i-SIGHT 2 is a clinical research study for patients with intermediate or advanced Dry AMD. It aims to measure visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and physiological changes in the ellipsoid zone. The study’s key objective is to investigate a non-invasive micro-current stimulation therapy for patients experiencing visual acuity loss due …
Continue reading “i-SIGHT 2 Clinical Study”
2 October 2026
Working Together with Local HES
Working Together with Local Hospital Eye Services York Ophthalmology & North Yorkshire LOC Hold Inaugural Meeting on Emergency Care Pathways York Hospital’s Ophthalmology Team and the North Yorkshire Local Optical Committee (LOC) have held their first formal joint meeting, marking the start of closer collaboration on emergency and urgent eye care referral pathways across our …
Continue reading “Working Together with Local HES”
27 August 2026
Referrals Update
Referrals Update Important Guidance & Pathway Information for North Yorkshire Practitioners Please find below the latest updates regarding local referral pathways, guidance, and electronic referral protocols across our region. Key Pathway Reminders: Routine Referrals: Ensure all non-urgent referrals include complete clinical history and visual acuity data. Urgent & Emergency Cases: Use designated local emergency eye …
Continue reading “Referrals Update”
27 August 2026
Atropine Shared Care Clinic
Atropine Shared Care Clinic University of Bradford — Faculty of Health and Social Care Do you have patients who would benefit from low-dose atropine for myopia management? The University of Bradford is offering a dedicated shared care service to prescribe and supply 0.01% atropine (Ryjunea®) for eligible children. Ryjunea® Licensing Criteria: Age: 3–14 years Refraction: …
Continue reading “Atropine Shared Care Clinic”
27 August 2026
Workplace Wellbeing & Job Satisfaction Research
Research Project Request Workplace Wellbeing & Job Satisfaction Among UK Optometrists Ben Ayliffe, an optometrist currently completing an MSc in Management at Keele University, is requesting support with a research study investigating workplace wellbeing, job satisfaction, and burnout among UK optometrists across all practice settings and career stages. “I attended Ripon Grammar School, and my …
Continue reading “Workplace Wellbeing & Job Satisfaction Research”
27 August 2026
Low Vision Survey
Low Vision Survey University of Manchester & LOCSU Research Project The University of Manchester is working with partners at LOCSU to map low vision services in primary care optometry practices across England. They are particularly keen to learn more about low vision service provision in North Yorkshire, as our region currently does not have a …
Continue reading “Low Vision Survey”
27 August 2026
