Glaucoma affects peripheral vision which is used for navigation and avoiding obstacles. The condition is caused by raised but pain free eye pressure and can lead to significant sight loss without the sufferer being aware. An eye test can detect raised eye pressure before it causes damage. Patients must have access to timely treatment and follow-up appointments in order to make sure that their eye pressure is under control and not causing irreversible sight loss.
In February 2012, we sent freedom of information requests to all hospitals in England asking them what proportion of their glaucoma follow-up appointments are delayed or rescheduled. We found that 57 per cent did not know how many are delayed or rescheduled and 26 per cent have significant delays.
We are calling for:
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Hospitals to introduce a robust system for monitoring glaucoma follow-up appointments.
Past campaign successes
Our campaign report 'Don't blame the patient' launched in January 2007, states the reasons why more than 200,000 people in the UK are needlessly losing their sight to glaucoma.