Patient COGS summary:

​

COGS Annual Review (Or Community Optometry Glaucoma Scheme) is a service provided by local optometrists to monitor patients with STABLE glaucoma or ocular hypertension (OHT).  At the appointment, you will have your visual fields checked, as well as a scan of the back of your eyes, and you may be dilated (so it’s a good idea to avoid driving to these appointments).  The optometrist will also measure the pressure in your eyes using a small probe. If all these findings are stable and they don’t see any changes in the status of your glaucoma/OHT, then they will keep you on the scheme at an appropriate review interval.  If the optometrist thinks that there has been any change, they will refer you back to the hospital eye service and you will be seen by an ophthalmologist in due course. 

​

Patient COGS Enhanced Case Finding Summary:

​

COGS Enhanced Case Finding (Previously known as Glaucoma referral refinement) is a scheme that allows your local optometrist to re-measure “unusual” findings that may have been observed during your routine eye examination, which may be indicative of glaucoma.
 

For example, if the pressure within your eye(s) was found to be slightly higher than average on examination, it might be decided to bring you back on another day to check if you were just nervous(!), or if it is something that needs to be investigated further. At that appointment, you will have your visual fields tested and you may be dilated (so it’s a good idea to avoid driving to these appointments). The optometrist will also measure the pressure in your eyes using a small probe. If all these findings are normal, then no onward referral to a specialist will be made at this time. The optometrist may decide to review you themselves a bit sooner than usual, but that is their own decision. If something is still “unusual”, the optometrist will send a referral to a specialist doctor for their opinion.

​

Patient Children's referral pathway summary: 

​

This service is available to children, following a screening assessment performed by an orthoptist from Hereford County hospital, whilst in reception class at school. If your child is flagged as struggling to achieve a typical level of vision for their age group, you will be asked to attend a participating practice for further investigation. This appointment will include eye drops to allow for these investigations. Your child may then be prescribed spectacles if the optometrist feels this would improve the vision. Parents cannot refer their child into this service, however all children under 16 years old are entitled to annual eye examinations under the NHS.

 

Patient low vision service summary: 

​

This service is for patients with reduced central or peripheral vision who need additional assistance, alongside spectacle wear, to enhance their remaining visual capability. Patients can be seen at their preferred optometry practice if there is a registered professional able to offer this service. Alternatively, your optometrist can refer you to another practice where this service is available. Patients can also be referred into this service by the eye clinic liaison officer (ECLO) at Hereford County hospital, if they are currently under active management or being monitored for an eye condition. 

​

LOW VISION Assessment:

​

This includes a basic assessment of residual vision, prescription and dispensing of a limited range of low vision aids (LVA's), follow-up and appropriate liaison and referral.

A Low Vision Examination is a functional assessment designed to determine whether your remaining vision can be improved to enable you to see things you now find difficult. A Low Vision Examination is not a medical eye examination.

Rehabilitation may involve appropriate liaison and referral to other people involved in your care eg. social worker, general practitioner, ophthalmologist, educational or employment specialist.

The Low Vision Assessment and follow-up appointments (up to two) are paid for by the NHS.

There is no charge for loan of a selection of simple LVA’s supplied by the NHS. LVA's are dispensed usually only after a successful loan period. Don’t forget to bring any current spectacles or magnifiers along with you to your appointment, even if they no longer seem to help. Also, bring along any samples of the sort of things that you need to see.

 

Patient Hospital contact lens service summary: 

​

Patients need to be referred into this service following assessment at either Hereford County Hospital or Worcester Hospital. They cannot be referred from another optometrist without a supporting letter from a consultant ophthalmologist. Patients can receive corrective contact lenses for conditions such as keratoconus, corneal injuries and corneal transplants etc, where spectacle correction does not provide a good enough level of vision. Medically necessary prosthetic contact lenses are also available as part of this service. Currently this service is only available at BBR Optometry in Hereford.

 

Patient Stable Age-related Macula degeneration in the Community (STAC) summary: 

​

Following treatment of wet macula degeneration at Hereford County hospital your doctor may decide it is safe to discharge you back into community care. Patients will be monitored for a maximum of 18 months by an optometrist in community practice at 3 month intervals. Only certain accredited optometrists can perform this service. Should a patient show signs of new wet macular changes, they will be referred back to the hospital. 

 

Patient community urgent eyecare scheme (CUES) summary: 

​

This service is only available to patients with a Herefordshire GP (NOT a Worcestershire GP), Worcestershire patients should contact Worcestershire LOC regarding access to the minor eye conditions service (MECS). Patients with symptoms (see the CUES web page for further information) are advised to phone a participating practice (see the CUES practice list on useful downloads) where they can be triaged and an appropriate appointment can be made. 

​