For all Optoms – Cataract Referral Guidelines
8 February 2021
Cataract Referral Guidelines
Royal Berkshire Hospital and The Prince Charles Eye Unit have asked the LOC to remind all optoms, that patients should only be referred for cataracts if the patients meet the following criteria:
- The patient wants to proceed with surgery. Please note this on the referral letter, AND
- If their vision is less than 6/12, OR
- If their vision is better than 6/12, but the patient is having significant cataract related visual problems. This should also be noted on the referral letter.
- These reasons should apply at the time of the referral, not on the assumption that the cataract may be worse by the time they are seen.
Both hospitals have added extra surgeries to concentrate on dealing with the backlog of patients who are on the waiting list for cataract removal. Last week, 50-60% of the patients in the clinic last week did not meet the criteria, or did not want to proceed with surgery. If the guidelines are followed it will mean that patients who want and need surgery can be seen quickly and have their vision restored.
By all means, discuss provider options. If the patient has a specific provider in mind, they should have the option to do this at choose and book. Requesting the choice on your referral letter has very little, if any effect.
Patients with vision better than the referral criteria can still choose to fund their own surgery if they wish, or choose to be referred to the private sector for advice. NHS providers can only treat those who meet the requirements as per NICE guidance.
Please see the current guidelines for cataract referral in Berkshire:
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