Professional Matters Optometry & Dispensing
Using OCT eye scans in post screening pathway in phased implementation
Using OCT eye scans in post screening pathway will save tens of thousands of NHS hospital appointments every year
NHS England (NHSE) has now started the phased implementation of advanced optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans
The scans will be introduced into the post-DES treatment and surveillance pathway in England.
The NHSE expects this change to save tens of thousands of hospital appointments every year.
The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) makes recommendations on screening and the routine screening pathway. The routine screening pathway ends with the offer of appropriate follow-up testing, treatment or advice for people who receive a positive screening result.
However, it is essential all screening programmes also link to high quality post-screening pathways that cover diagnosis, surveillance, and treatment. This ensures people receive timely and effective treatment if they need it.
NHSE’s implementation of OCT scans will not affect the routine DES pathway but it will provide many benefits to patients and healthcare professionals in the programme’s post-screening surveillance and treatment pathway.
