Hospital to community in Wales: What is the value of optometrists playing a greater role in managing neovascular AMD and glaucoma in primary care?

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

To evaluate the value of enhanced optometric services for managing neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and glaucoma in primary care optometry services, instead of hospital eye services (HES).

Methods

Seven enhanced optometric service pathways in primary care in Wales were assessed with a mixed-methods approach: three for nAMD and four for glaucoma. The methods were a patient-related experience measure (PREM), a Realist Review and Evaluation involving both patients and staff, a discrete event simulation model estimating the economic impact of the pathways and a workforce survey of optometrists to gauge capability and capacity.

Results

Patient-related experience measure responses (802) indicated that primary care experience was comparable to that

SUBMITTER: Ryan B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11629850 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature