Optometry Today’s new glaucoma guide for the practice team

Optometry Today (OT) has published a new professional development guide, High Street Heroes, focusing on glaucoma care in practice. The guide is produced in partnership with the Association of Optometrists (AOP), Specsavers and Newmedica.

Designed to educate and inform optometrists and their practice teams, the guide demonstrates the value that primary care optometry can offer in glaucoma care. It shines a spotlight on higher qualifications, while sharing success stories of optometry and ophthalmology teams working collaboratively to protect the nation’s eye health.

Topics covered include examples of glaucoma care across the four nations of the UK, the role of optical coherence tomography in detection and management, communication tips for practice teams, the patient perspective on living with glaucoma, and practical advice to help practitioners build confidence in the clinical field.

Selina Powell, OT’s Features Editor, said: “Glaucoma is one of the most significant challenges in eye health today, and optometrists are at the forefront of tackling it. The glaucoma guide brings together expertise, innovation, and practical examples to show how practice teams are making a difference every day in the lives of their patients.”

The guide supports the AOP, Specsavers and Newmedica’s calls for community-based glaucoma services, highlighting how optometry can play a central role in easing NHS pressures and improving patient access to care.

Paul Morris, Director of Professional Advancement at Specsavers, said: “At Specsavers, we’re passionate about helping eye care professionals tackle glaucoma − the so-called silent thief of sight. Optometry teams have a major part to play, especially since over half of those with glaucoma don’t even know they have it.”

Morris explained: “Regular eye tests are often where the condition is first spotted, while efforts to increase the number of NHS-commissioned community glaucoma services delivered by local practices mean we can support even more patients. It’s crucial to boost public awareness too, given that one in five people aren’t getting their eyes checked regularly. It’s why we’re supporting this new glaucoma guide, which brings together insights from leading practitioners nationwide. We hope you find it both useful and inspiring.”

Delivered alongside the December/January edition of OT, and accompanied by an online content hub, the guide is available in print to all AOP members and OT subscribers.

Readers can access the guide online at the OT website.

Ends

For information, please contact Serena Box, Head of Media, PR and External Affairs, at the Association of Optometrists, [email protected] or telephone 0207 549 2040.

Notes to Editors

Association of Optometrists

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the voice of the optical profession, representing over 80% of practising optometrists. The AOP elevates the work of its members, safeguards their interests, and champions eye health across the UK. For more information, visit www.aop.org.uk

Optometry Today

Optometry Today (OT) has a readership of over 18,623 AOP members and subscribers in print and online. The OT ABC audit certificate is available online: www.abc.org.uk/product/5966-optometry-today. OT’s website offers daily news, interviews, in-depth features and analysis, plus exclusive access to over 42 CPD exams per year, including bimonthly CPD video content. For more information, visit www.optometry.co.uk