News & Views

The UKHSA is investigating a novel cluster of Burkholderia cenocepacia involving 20 cases across the UK. Preliminary epidemiological and microbiological investigations have identified a potential association with carbomer containing lubricating eye gel. Investigations into the link between the cluster and carbomer eye gels are ongoing, and these findings are not conclusive at this stage.

This week (19 – 23 June) is Clinical Audit Awareness Week, a national annual campaign that promotes and celebrates the impact of clinical audits in healthcare. RCOphth runs the world renowned National Ophthalmology Database Audit and is recognised by clinicians, NICE, GIRFT and industry as an important safety and research tool that is used to audit the treatment of cataracts and recently has added the potentially blinding disease of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to its work.

Further to the release of the Device Safety Information issued on the 26 January, the MHRA released a national patient safety alert on the 1 February.

This is a unique opportunity for healthcare professionals and representative organisations to have your say on the way you would like to receive safety information from us.

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists and The College of Optometrists have collaborated on the Ophthalmic Services guidance: Designing Glaucoma Care Pathways using GLAUC-STRAT-FAST. 

CQC's inspection programme is changing.  Rather than treating surgery as a single speciality they are moving to an approach focused much more on the surgical sub-specialities.  This approach will involve continuous monitoring of key metrics supported by a more detailed review (deep dive) when concerns are raised.  The CQC is looking to recruit 4-5 senior clinicians to assist CQC in a pilot of the new approach.

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) has produced a new draft clinical guideline on the management of Angle-Closure Glaucoma. This has been developed through a guideline development group (GDG) chaired by Professor Paul Foster. The College would now welcome any comments or observations on the content, format, or recommendations in this new guidance, to help contribute to and influence the final guideline.

We’ve updated our Ophthalmic Service Guidance for paediatric ophthalmology! Our 2021 guidance represents the expert consensus, based on available evidence and national guidance, of the Paediatric Sub-committee of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth).