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

 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.

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Glaucoma

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