Cataract Pathways

There are now two enhanced cataract pathways in place for Shropshire, cataract referral refinement and post-cataract follow-up.

If you would like your practice to be part of these schemes, please email [email protected] the practice name and address and optometrists' personal email addresses.

Accreditation involves completing the LOCSU Cataract Pathway course through WOPEC distance learning.

WOPEC Codes are available from Emma Close-Davies

email [email protected]

Cataract Referrals

Non-accredited optometrists are asked to refer patients to an accredited optometrist for an assessment to be carried out. This will filter out patients deemed unsuitable for cataract surgery.

Please ensure patients are willing to have surgery and meet the criteria for referral before sending for assessment..

Patients will ONLY be considered for cataract surgery if the best corrected visual acuity is 6/12 or worse.

However, if patients fall into any of the categories below, cataract surgery may be considered even if the best corrected visual acuity is better than 6/12 ...

Patients who are still working in an occupation in which good acuity is essential to their ability to continue to work (e.g. watchmaker)

Patients with posterior subcapsular cataracts and those with cortical cataracts who experience problems with glare and a reduction in acuity in daylight or bright conditions

Patients who need to drive at night who experience significant glare due to cataracts which affects driving

Difficulty with reading due to lens opacities

Patients with visual field defects borderline for driving, in whom cataract extraction would be expected to significantly improve the visual field

Significant optical imbalance (anisometropia or anisekonia) following cataract surgery on the first eye

Patients with glaucoma who require cataract surgery to control intra ocular pressure

Patient with diabetes who require clear views of their retina to look for retinopathy

Patients with wet macular degeneration or other retinal conditions who require clear views of their retina to monitor their disease or treatment (e.g. treatment with anti-VEGFs)