Purpose: To compare the clinical and financial effectiveness of two optometricled enhanced glaucoma referral schemes in the Bexley Care Trust area. Methods: Over a 12-month period all suspect glaucoma/Ocular Hypertension (OHT) referrals from optometrists relating to patients registered with Bexley GPs were analysed. All these patients were examined under one of two schemes. One was an enhanced glaucoma repeat measurement (EGRM) scheme in which the referring optometrist conducted the repeated tests him/herself prior to referral or non-referral. The alternative was a refinement pathway (RCAS) using a small team of accredited community optometrists. Results: During the full year commencing April 2007, repeat measures using the EGRM scheme resulted in 76% of patients not being referred. In 44.5% of all EGRM patients, where raised intraocular pressure (IOP) was found by noncontact tonometry (NCT), repeated measurement by Goldmann/Perkins applanation tonometry resulted in readings that were <22 mmHg, or that had less than a 5 mmHg difference between the two eyes. Financial review demonstrated that the EGRM achieved 62% savings when compared with HES tariff while RCAS resulted in a saving of 3.5%. Conclusions: Using a primary care repeat measurement scheme to support referral decision-making demonstrated substantial cost benefit while onward referral for refinement by accredited optometrists was essentially cost-neutral compared with HES tariff. Local schemes foster fragmentation and consideration should be given to a service which covers a large population area.
Gaining CET points alone is unlikely to significantly improve referral decision-making. Mentoring and targeted CET for the newly-qualified up to 2 years post-qualification should be considered. Ophthalmology replies to the referring newly-qualified optometrist are vital for moderating future referrals and developing clinical confidence.
Central giant cell granuloma, a fibro-osseous lesion, is more commonly found in the mandible and mainly in children and young adults. The lesion, which has a greater incidence in females, may be uni or multilocular. On the basis of clinical, radiological and histologic features, central giant cell granulomas can be classified as "non-aggressive" or "aggressive". Management involves surgical removal and in most cases the dentition can be maintained. Three cases of central giant cell granuloma are reported and they illustrate clinical features of the lesion, how differential diagnosis can be assisted by ORAD (a special software program), treatment, and the importance of recall examinations.
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