Standards & Guidance

Our range of high-quality guidance helps to maintain standards in the planning, practice and commissioning of patient care. Our clinical guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations across all aspect of care or of eye conditions; Concise Practice Points make recommendations for less frequent and targeted clinical situations, succinctly describing the scientific and clinical evidence alongside expert input to enhance clinician and patient decision making. Our Commissioning guidance supports eye units to develop services to meet local population needs.

Quality Standards for Diabetic Retionpathy Services

Diabetic eye disease is very common and there is a national screening programme to detect and refer treatable diabetic retinopathy to hospital eye services. The diabetic retinopathy (DR) standards in this document apply to how the hospital service provides care and interacts with the community and screening services to ensure safe care and adherence to national guidelines. The document should be read in conjunction the quality standards for medical retina services.  

Quality Standards for Corneal Services

Disorders of the external eye are very common (blepharitis, conjunctivitis, dry eye, etc.) and if not severe are largely dealt with in primary care, primary care ophthalmology, and general ophthalmic services. Corneal and external disease standards in this document is apply to care of the common conditions at the severe end of the spectrum and of more serious or unusual conditions such as corneal dystrophies, conditions requiring transplantation, vernal keratoconjunctivitis and cicatrising disorders which are more appropriately managed in a dedicated corneal and external eye disease service.

Advisory Appointments Committees and Job Plans

Advisory Appointment Committees, or AACs, are recruitment panels used when hiring consultants and specialty doctors in Trusts across the UK. The College works with Trusts and other NHS bodies to approve job descriptions and send a volunteer College adviser to provide College guidance on the suitability of the applicants for appointment. Here you can find information about becoming an AAC representative and what Trusts need to provide to the College for recruitment.

Commissioning Guidance - Age Related Macular Degeneration Services

This guidance is intended for use by commissioners, providers, social care, and users of the AMD services, including their families and carers. The guidance sets out the principles and recommended minimum standards of care for AMD to decrease variations of care across AMD services in England and Wales. This is based on best practice, the latest available evidence and is in line with published NICE guidance including NG 82 and associated Technology Appraisals