The U.K.’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) was founded to improve health and social care through national guidance and advice. On January 26, 2022, the organization updated its diagnosis and treatment guidelines for people with a new diagnosis of chronic open-angle glaucoma (COAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT).

Selective Laser Therapy Now Preferred

According to the new guidelines, people newly diagnosed with COAG and OHT should be given the option of selective laser therapy (SLT) before standard eye drops.

As stated in Section 1.4.4 entitled “Initial treatment for people with OHT:”

“Offer 360° selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) to people with newly diagnosed OHT with IOP of 24 mmHg or more (excluding cases associated with pigment dispersion syndrome) if they are at risk of visual impairment within their lifetime.”

As stated in Section 1.1.15 entitled “Initial treatment for people with COAG:”

“Offer 360° SLT to people with newly diagnosed COAG (excluding cases associated with pigment dispersion syndrome).”

A More Cost-Effective Approach

Though the change in treatment approach will create an uptick in routine SLT, NICE believes the money saved in eye drops and surgery will “more than” cover the added initial cost. 

“The increased use of this treatment would reduce the use of eye drops and potentially decrease the need for some patients to undergo cataract or intraocular pressure-lowering surgery,” said NICE.

Promoting Patient-Centered Care

Dr. Paul Chrisp, director of NICE’s Centre for Guidelines, explains that NICE developed the guidelines with public input obtained last year. NICE advises healthcare providers who perform SLT to ensure their staff is properly trained.

“It is crucial that healthcare professionals discuss the benefits and risks with patients, family members, and caregivers to agree on a treatment plan for each person,” Chrisp added.

*Powell, S. (2022, February 2). Glaucoma: new NICE guidance favours selective laser therapy over eye drops. Optometry Today. https://www.aop.org.uk/ot/professional-support/health-services/2022/02/02/glaucoma-new-nice-guidance-favours-selective-laser-therapy-over-eye-drops