Community Eyecare Guidelines Background
In 2016 the Community Eyecare Guidelines were originally adapted from The College of Optometrists Clinical Management Guidelines (CMGs), to incorporate pragmatic experience gained from NHS Grampian’s Eye Health Network. Initial scoping work was undertaken by NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) and in 2024 the Community Eyecare Guideline Group (CEGG) was established to act as an expert reference group and support the redrafting of the Eyecare Guidelines. Work then began to update the Eyecare Guidelines to ensure that they:
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align with current practice
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are subject to a robust review/governance process (please see methodology for more information [link to Methodology page])
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are evidence based
The Eyecare Guidelines continue to be adaptations of The College of Optometrists CMGs with the addition of relevant information for practitioners in Scotland. This includes treatment advice aligned to the current Scottish formularies and reference to the General Ophthalmic Services Specialist Supplementary service. Following a similar format to the original Community Eyecare Guidelines, they provide information on differential diagnosis, possible management by optometrists (treatment and advice including dose and duration of treatment recommendations where relevant), further management options (including guidance around GOS Specialist Supplementary) and possible management in secondary care (ophthalmology) or under local/community pathways.
The Eyecare Guidelines are designed to be read in conjunction with the Supporting Information page [link to Supporting Information page] and within each guideline are citations for various sources of reference and a link to the relevant College of Optometrists CMG.
Substantial work has been undertaken by NSS to align treatment advice with current Scottish Health Board formularies and local guidance. For most conditions a first line treatment option is given; in a few cases the suggested drug may be different to that mentioned in The College of Optometrists CMG (but within the same class) due to disparity with local formulary guidance and/or availability for that particular drug. Users of the Eyecare Guidelines are advised to refer to local formularies and guidance before making prescribing decisions [link to Supporting Information page]
The authors of the updated Eyecare Guidelines are very grateful for the support of The College of Optometrists and their Clinical Advisors and also extend their gratitude to members of the CEGG for their valued input, diligence and significant time dedicated to the redrafting process.
If you have a query relating to this page, please email NSS.ComEyecareGuidelineGroup@nhs.scot