The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 280 No 7484 p19
5/12 January 2008

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• The profession (4)
• Controlled drugs
• Supervision
• Influenza
• Prescribing (2)
• Glaucoma care
• Drug development
• Christmas

Letters to the Editor

Glaucoma care

Support for multidisciplinary working

From Miss F. Spencer, FRCOphth

In the coverage of my talk at the British Pharmaceutical Conference in September (PJ, BPC Supplement, October 2007, pB17 (PDF 30K)), the impression was given that I might have reservations about community care for glaucoma.

I did indeed point out that glaucoma is a complex problem and simply to move it into community care without assessing who is trained and how and who would manage such patients does have some potential risks.

However, I would like to explain that this comprised a small part of my talk. I am extremely supportive of working in a multidisciplinary team for appropriate glaucoma care when appropriate training has been given to the staff, be they optometrists, orthoptists or nurses, with continuing medical education and clear lines of responsibility and protocols under the auspices of consultants with a special interest in glaucoma.

My remit was to explain and discuss the management of glaucoma. I therefore gave a comprehensive overview of assessment, diagnosis and management of glaucoma with medical, laser and surgical modalities.

I mentioned the new forms of care in clinics around the country and our experience of multidisciplinary glaucoma care in Manchester.

In particular I highlighted the successful schemes of shared care that happen both in house and in the community in glaucoma care, mentioning the appropriate certification and diploma in glaucoma care from the College of Optometrists and the nursing master’s module in glaucoma at the University of Manchester.

Fiona Spencer
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Manchester Royal Eye Hospital

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