Sector urged to back parliamentary bill as ‘tsunami of glaucoma’ looms

Specsavers is calling on eye care professionals across optometry to support a parliamentary bill aimed at tackling the growing burden of glaucoma during World Glaucoma Week (8–14 March).

The multiple is urging optometry to back the proposed legislation put forward by optometrist and independent MP for Leicester South, Shockat Adam, in the Glaucoma Care: England Bill, which was presented in parliament in January.

The bill would require the introduction of a consistent NHS community glaucoma service delivered by specially trained optometrists across England.

Specsavers believes, if implemented, the bill would help address what has been described as a growing “tsunami of glaucoma” cases, while reducing the current postcode lottery in access to care.

Giles Edmonds, clinical services director at Specsavers, said action is needed to ensure patients receive timely and equitable care.

“Something needs to change. It’s time for the Government to take action on glaucoma in England,” he said. “I want to urge everyone in the sector to unite behind Adam’s bill.”

According to Paul Morris, director of professional advancement at Specsavers, other parts of the UK have already developed robust NHS approaches to managing glaucoma within the community.

“In England there’s a postcode lottery,” he said. “We clearly are part of the solution as demonstrated across the UK and in parts of England where it’s making a real difference in suitable cases to monitor and manage glaucoma safely in the community alongside ophthalmology.”

Morris added that optometrists are well placed to help meet rising patient demand as glaucoma prevalence increases over the coming years. He highlighted the profession’s clinical expertise, infrastructure and capacity as key assets in addressing the growing challenge.

Beyond service delivery, Morris said optometry also has an important role to play in public awareness.

He encouraged practitioners to engage with Glaucoma UK, directing patients to the charity’s information and support services.

Fiona Sandford, chief executive of UK sight loss charity network Visionary, emphasised the importance of improving access to care within local communities.

Visionary supports more than 100 local member organisations across the UK, collectively working with over a quarter of a million people living with sight loss and a wide range of eye conditions.

“Making it easier for people to access care closer to home and receive timely treatment from qualified experts is imperative if we are to prevent unnecessary sight loss due to glaucoma,” she said.

Sandford added: “Unnecessary and preventable sight loss would be catastrophic for individuals and communities. We must work together to improve access to the care people need locally to ensure this doesn’t happen.”

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