Surveillance of sight loss due to delay in ophthalmic treatment or review: frequency, cause and outcome

Summary

In this research paper published in the Nature journal Eye, Foot and MacEwen determine the frequency of patients suffering harm due to delay in ophthalmic care in the UK over a 12-month period.

They found that patients were suffering preventable harm due to health service initiated delay leading to permanently reduced vision. This was occurring in patients of all ages, but most consistently in those with chronic conditions. Delayed follow-up or review is the cause in the majority of cases indicating a lack of capacity within the hospital eye service.