Glaucoma management varies widely in the UK

The methods used to manage glaucoma vary widely across the United Kingdom, according to study results published in the November issue of Eye.

Patel S. C. Gordon-Bennett of Broomfield Hospital, Essex, UK and colleagues conducted a questionnaire of National Health Service (NHS) consultant ophthalmologists; 493 questionnaires were completed and 469 were analysed.

Of the respondents, 60.6% were based in a general hospital and 39.4% were university-based; 30.7% were glaucoma specialists. Automated perimetry was available to 99.6% of respondents; disc photography, to 89.6%; pachymetry, 79.7%; OCT, 45.2%; HRT, 43.9% and GDx, 12.6%. A minimum of one digital imaging instrument was available for 65.7% of respondents. In glaucoma suspects, respondents used SAP (74.0%), SITA-fast (60.1%), Esterman (33.0%) and Goldmann fields (19.2%). Short-wave automated perimetry and frequency-doubled perimetry were in use but were not common. To monitor glaucoma, respondents used SAP (60.3%) and SITA-fast (42.0%).

The researchers concluded that the wide variety of instruments available is the reason for the high degree of variability in glaucoma management methods across the UK.