A Novel Optometry-Led Decision-Making Community Referral Refinement Scheme for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Screening.

Background: The prevalence of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) continues to increase. Hospital Eye Services are operating above capacity, innovative solutions to minimise the high proportion of false negative referrals, improve the care pathway and increase capacity for those patients who need ongoing care are essential are essential.

Methods: A two-phase retrospective longitudinal analysis of all patients referred and assessed for nAMD between; April 2019 to March 2020 (Phase 1) n=394, and April 2020 to March 2021 (Phase 2) n= 414, within Swansea Bay University Health Board (SBUHB). All patients with suspect nAMD were referred to the hospital based nAMD clinic in phase 1, and a community optometry nAMD decision making pathway in phase 2. All clinical records were reviewed, and data collated for subsequent analysis. Age, sex, date of referral, diagnosis, and treatment date were all recorded and analysed.

Results: During phase 1, 104 new nAMD cases needing treatment were diagnosed with 85% (n=88) receiving treatment within 2 weeks of initial referral. During phase 2, 230 new nAMD cases requiring treatment were diagnosed with 94% (n=216) receiving treatment within 2 weeks of initial referral. Both the proportion of nAMD cases diagnosed (χ² = 70.8; p<0.001) and proportion of those treated within 2 weeks of initial diagnosis (χ² = 7.57; p<0.05) were significantly higher during phase 2.

Conclusion: There are advantages to a community optometry nAMD decision-making pathway with regard to 1) decreasing the number of patients requiring HES attendance, 2) increasing the number of patients able to access treatment for nAMD within 2 weeks of initial referral 3) an increased rate of diagnosis confirmation of nAMD and 4) a decrease in the rate of false-positive referrals.