Behind the headlines

30 July 2021
Summer 2021

Eye health issues that are making the news.

Virtual A&E triage is ‘as safe as’ in-person service

Accident and emergency eye care patients can be triaged just as safely in video consultations as face to face, a new study claims.

Researchers at Moorfields Eye Hospital compared the cases of 404 emergency patients who had video consultations with 451 who attended in person over two weeks in 2020. 

The two senior ophthalmologists found none of the patients suffered harm as a result of the way they were triaged. 

The authors of the study, published in EClinicalMedicine (Li et al, 2021), wrote that they had demonstrated “comparable patient safety” for the two approaches. 

Sign in to continue

Forgotten password?
Register

Not already a member of the College?

Start enjoying the benefits of College membership today. Take a look at what the College can offer you and view our membership categories and rates.

Related further reading

One in four over-50s has vision impairment and three quarters have some hearing loss.

The College of Optometrists has presented Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh with an Honorary Fellowship of the College in recognition of Her Royal Highness’s outstanding contribution to eye health.

The virtual Hospital Eye Service experience replaces the in-person experience pre-registration trainees would normally have gained in a hospital setting.