A Suffolk optometrist is calling for a joined up approach across the health sector to prevent conditions worsening
Over half of UK optometrists have seen a patient lose sight permanently due to late glaucoma diagnosis or delays to treatment amid postcode lottery crisis
Late diagnosis and delayed treatment of glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness, is creating a "ticking time bomb" in the UK, according to the Association of Optometrists (AOP).
Over half of High Street optometrists report seeing patients who lost sight permanently due to late detection, with diagnoses rising by 25% over the next decade. Experts warn that a postcode lottery of care is leaving some people unfairly at risk.
Peter McElduff, chair of the Suffolk Local Optical Committee and a practicing optometrist, says Suffolk is in a relatively better place than many areas, but there’s more work to be done:
“We have community glaucoma services in Ipswich, East Suffolk and also in West Suffolk, which does help take the stress off the hospital trusts” .
He stresses that early identification remains critical:
“Stage one, we want to encourage people to … get a routine sight test, particularly if they’re over 40 and they’ve got a family history of glaucoma.”
McElduff emphasises the need for collaboration and local commissioning:
“By up‑skilling … current optometrists … working collaboratively with the hospital trust … you can provide that care in the community.”
He highlights the rural benefit:
“If you have somebody … in Leiston … that can provide community glaucoma service in a rural community … having every rural … having one of those … would be the ambition for me”
Finally, McElduff reassures the public—while calling for regular check‑ups:
“Don’t be too alarmed, it’s a problem that’srecognised and looking to be met.” And: “It doesn’t hurt to get your eyes tested. … It’ll pick up other eye problems as well.”
Why this matters:
Glaucoma affects 700,000 people in the UK and often progresses unnoticed—some doctors warn of undiagnosed cases accounting for almost half of all patients.
Optometrists report late-stage detection, sometimes with devastating consequences.
Areas with community-led glaucoma services (like Suffolk) lighten pressure on hospital eye departments and offer faster, local care.
AOP is urging government action: a national glaucoma pathway, including national commissioning of community optometry services, could save the NHS around 300,000 hospital appointments and £12 million every year.
Regular eye tests are essential, especially for people over 40 or with a family history of glaucoma—NHS sight tests are free for these groups.