Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the impact of the shared care glaucoma scheme (SCGS), implemented during COVID-19 due to reduced clinic space and lockdown measures, on glaucoma disease progression in patients. BACKGROUND: The study was conducted between January 2021 and December 2023 and explored joint care provided by ophthalmologists and community optometrists in Lothian. METHODS: Data collected include patient demographics, intraocular pressure (IOP) readings, mean deviation visual field scores (MDVFs), a history of interventions during the pre-SCGS phase, glaucoma medications, and referrals to Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion (PAEP). The IOP, MDVF, and glaucoma medications were collected at three stages: pre-SCGS, SCGS, and post-SCGS. The Glauc-Strat-Fast tool was used to assign each patient a pre-SCGS glaucoma stage. RESULTS: A total of 172 patients (85 males, 49.4%) participated in this study, with a mean age of 77.7 years (SD = 10.4). Sixteen patients (9.30%) were referred to PAEP during the scheme; the Red group of patients, identified using the Glauc-Strat-Fast tool, represented five of these referrals (31.3%). Four of the referred patients (25%) had an intervention at PAEP, either a change in medication or a surgical procedure. There was no significant increase in the IOP values from the pre-SCGS phase to the post-SCGS phase. The MDVF values had a mean deterioration of 0.5998 dB from the pre-SCGS phase to the post-SCGS phase. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, disease stability was maintained in all glaucoma subgroups. The study, therefore, suggests the possibility of implementing the SCGS in the United Kingdom as part of routine glaucoma service in the post-COVID-19 era.