Our presenter, John Waite, introduces the programme and its structure. Geoff Roberson, Professional Advisor to the Association of Optometrists, joins us again to explain the function of local referral protocols and the different types of referral pathways an optometrist might use in practice.

Since devolution in 1999, parts of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have taken up different approaches to the implementation and funding of eye health schemes. We start our exploration of regional referral protocols in Scotland with Glasgow based optometrist, Craig MacArthur, whose practice is restructured around retention and upskilling optometrists so as to perform triaging for eye health conditions.

Next, we go to Wales where we talk to Andy Britton, Optometrist Director at Specsavers in Haverford West. Here, we see how a mix of national policy, regional schemes and inter-professional relationships can come together to enable the implementation of a truly innovative local referral process.

In this section, unit 4, we return to Northern Ireland to hear from policy makers about what it takes to implement national level programmes. Raymond Curran, Head of Ophthalmic Services, and Margaret McMullan, Clinical Optometric Adviser at the Health and Social Care Board, Northern Ireland, explain to us the planning and preparation that goes into rolling out new schemes from a policy perspective, as well as the long-term improvement plans.

In England, we talk to Peter Turner, Senior Optometrist at Peter Turner’s opticians in Bristol, about the care pathways he’s been developing in his area and how these fit into the wider situation across England. Peter also provides advice on the importance and methods for finding out more about your local schemes.

Next, we focus on specific disease pathways, starting with cataract. We speak again with Clair Bulpin, who provides us with an update on the Gloucester Cataract Direct Referral Scheme (GCDRS). Clair explains recent updates to the scheme as well as future plans. In the second half of this unit, we talk to Clare O’Donnell Head of Eye Science at Optegra health, Manchester. Clare discusses the differences between private and NHS referral pathways and factors to be aware of should a patient wish to be privately referred.

Glaucoma diagnosis and referrals have seen great enhancements from the development of referral refinement schemes. We talk to Amanda Harding, principal optometrist at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, to get some clarification on the different referral filtering services in the UK. We also go back to Glasgow to hear from Kathy Morrison about how the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) guidelines have been implemented since the last referrals programme.

In the final unit, unit 8, we summarise the general protocols of referrals that apply regardless of pathway. We consider the importance of record keeping and legal issues around referrals.

Prof John Flanagan talks about a potential new treatment for glaucoma and explains the neuroprotective role of lipoxin around ganglion cells and how maintenance of this may offer new options in management of the disease.

Dr Kathleen Vancleef discusses the ASTEROID project’s new technology, and how its new methodology promises to make the assessment of younger patients easier.