The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published its HealthTech guidance on digital technologies designed to support home monitoring of vision changes in people with advanced dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
The guidance concludes that there is currently insufficient evidence to support routine NHS funding of the technologies assessed, and recommends further research on areas including diagnostic accuracy, usability, adherence, impact on NHS resources and patient outcomes.
The College contributed to the appraisal through a formal professional group submission and input from RCOphth-nominated professional representatives, helping to ensure that clinical practice and the needs of ophthalmology services and patients were reflected in NICE’s consideration of the evidence. The appraisal papers specifically include the College’s professional group submission.
We welcome NICE’s recognition of both the potential value of home monitoring and the need for stronger evidence before these technologies are considered for routine NHS use.