Optegra rolls out NHS glaucoma service in Manchester

Optegra has launched a new NHS service to support glaucoma patients in Greater Manchester.

The service at Optegra Eye Hospital Manchester supports glaucoma patients whose condition has changed and therefore require monitoring and review by surgeons.

The interventions available at Optegra include adjustment to medication, laser surgery or a stent procedure to drain fluid to relieve pressure.

Depending on the severity of a patient’s condition, they will then either be monitored at Optegra, referred back to their community optometrist, or on to a Trust hospital.

Robert Petrarca, consultant ophthalmic surgeon and glaucoma lead at Optegra, said: “The treatment pathway can vary for glaucoma patients, from those whose condition is stable and low-risk and who are regularly monitored at their community optometrist, to those with more complex, high-risk cases who need surgical intervention or treatment at a trust hospital.”

However, Petrarca suggested there is a “large cohort of patients in the middle” who need to be monitored by glaucoma specialists.

He added: “With the new monitoring, review and treatment service, we will only need to refer those who need complex trabeculectomy surgery on to trusts – which means speedier access to treatment as well as helping relieve Trust waiting lists for glaucoma.”

Optegra suggested that this service could help to relieve waiting times in NHS trusts.

Mel Andrew, NHS commissioning director at Optegra Eye Health Care, shared that the provider was “proud” to extend beyond cataract surgery to supporting patients with glaucoma, commenting: “We are excited to grow our treatment offering in this way.”