Impact of supply problems of preservative-free glaucoma medications on patients and hospital staff.

Purpose: Glaucoma is a chronic ocular disease, which is usually managed with long-term daily medical therapy, in the form of eye drops. Patients who are intolerant to preservatives in topical medicines require preservative-free versions. From early 2011 patients attending Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK, started to report recurring problems with the supply of the following preservative-free glaucoma medications: Timolol 0.

Evaluation of iris and iridociliary body lesions with anterior segment optical coherence tomography versus ultrasound B-scan.

Aims: To compare anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) with ultrasound B-scan (USB) in evaluating iris and iridociliary body lesions.

Methods: Image features and resolution comparison between AS-OCT and USB in 126 patients (126 eyes) presenting with iris or iridociliary body lesion. Bland-Altman plots were generated to assess the level of agreement between the two techniques.

NICE - impact on glaucoma case detection.

Aim: To investigate the impact of publication of the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines ('Glaucoma: diagnosis and management of chronic open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension') in April 2009, on the referrals for suspect glaucoma to Moorfields Community Eye Clinic (MCEC) at Ealing Hospital.

Methods: The clinical data from all optometrist initiated referrals for suspect glaucoma and ocular hypertension were scrutinised by a Consultant Ophthalmologist for a 2 month period, 6 months after the publication of the NICE guidance. Each was then categorised into the following groups: glaucoma positive; glaucoma suspect; glaucoma negative; ocular hypertension (OHT) requiring further follow up in clinic; ocular hypertension to be followed up by community optometrist; other.