Glaucoma Community Care: Does Ongoing Shared Care Work?

PURPOSE: We assessed a novel, public, vertical integrated care model for glaucoma management in the community. METHODS: This study was a retrospective, longitudinal study of 266 patients diagnosed or suspected of glaucoma. Patients were stratified to either ongoing ophthalmology-led (n = 81) or optometry-led shared care (n = 185). Demographics and clinical characteristics, including the re-referral rate and timeliness of follow up were analysed. RESULTS: Just under half (565/1224, 46%) of all follow up consultations over the total study period of 45 months were seen in optometry-led care, with a re-referral rate to ophthalmology of 21%. Treated patients showed a median intraocular pressure reduction of 20% and a median time delay of just two days between the actual and recommended review period. CONCLUSIONS: Shared care provides an effective option for managing the ongoing care burden in chronic stable glaucoma cases at low risk of vision loss.