The Royal College of Ophthalmologists published the Three Step Plan in 2016 in response to the continued demand and lack of capacity in ophthalmology services.
The hospital eye service is overwhelmed and patients are losing sight because of delayed treatment due to postponed or delayed hospital eye service appointments.
NHS targets prioritise newly referred patients over review patients. Review patients are likely to be the most vulnerable, as compared with new referrals, they are 8-9 times more likely to have a sight threatening condition that needs long-term monitoring and treatment.