Publications
Welcome to our Publications page, see below for a collection of articles, research papers and reports that showcase our ongoing commitment to providing enhanced eye care across England.
A patient-centered evaluation of Glaucoma Monitoring Services in Primary Care Optometry
Community Glaucoma Services enable the monitoring of patients with glaucoma and related diagnoses in primary care optical practices, offering an alternative to hospital-based care. These services, delivered by accredited optometrists working to clinical management plans, are designed for low-risk cases such as ocular hypertension, suspected glaucoma, or stable early chronic open-angle glaucoma. Previous pilot evaluations have shown these services to be safe and effective, with high patient satisfaction and significant reductions in both patient travel and carbon emissions. This poster presents the first multi-locality, patient-centred evaluation of glaucoma monitoring services, highlighting their impact on patient experience, system efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
Outcomes of Glaucoma Repeat Reading Services (GRRS) in Primary Care Optometry in England from 2021 to 2025
Glaucoma Repeat Reading Services (GRRS) are an integral part of glaucoma referral filtering in primary care optometry, designed to reduce unnecessary referrals to Hospital Eye Services (HES) following routine sight tests. Endorsed by NICE and GIRFT, GRRS aims to minimise false positive referrals by enabling accredited practitioners to repeat key measurements in cases of raised intra-ocular pressure or suspicious visual field defects. While earlier evaluations were limited in scope and dated, this study presents a comprehensive review of GRRS outcomes across 26 Integrated Care Boards in England from 2021 to 2025, offering updated insights into the effectiveness and impact of these services on patient care and system efficiency.
Outcomes of Glaucoma Enhanced Referral Services (GERS) based in Primary Care Optometry in England from 2021 to 2025
Glaucoma Enhanced Referral Services (GERS) are a form of glaucoma referral filtering used in primary care optometry following sight tests, aiming to reduce unnecessary referrals to Hospital Eye Services (HES). Recommended by NICE and GIRFT guidelines, GERS enables accredited optometrists to conduct comprehensive clinical assessments for patients with signs suggestive of glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Previous evaluations have demonstrated the effectiveness of GERS in reducing false positive referrals and improving NHS efficiency. This study presents the first large-scale, multi-locality evaluation of GERS outcomes across 13 Integrated Care Boards in England from 2021 to 2025, providing updated evidence on the impact and value of these services for patients and the wider health system.
Introduction to Primary Eyecare Services
This document provides an in-depth overview of Primary Eyecare Services, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of primary and community eye care. It highlights our collaborative approach with NHS partners, local opticians and community organisations to deliver accessible, high-quality eye care across 800 neighbourhoods. Discover our impact, innovative services and commitment to improving patient outcomes and tackling health inequalities nationwide.
Carbon Reduction Report 2025
The report outlines our ongoing commitment to achieving net zero emissions for directly controlled activities by 2025 and for NHS-reportable emissions by 2040. The report details our latest greenhouse gas assessment, identifies key areas for improvement and sets out targeted actions across service purchases, travel, digital, waste and employee engagement, demonstrating how sustainability is embedded in our operations and guiding our journey towards a greener future.
A Year in Review: Innovation through Collaboration
This year’s Quality Account showcases our commitment to delivering accessible, high-quality eye care across England. Through strong partnerships and a patient-centred approach, Primary Eyecare Services supported over 798,000 patients while driving measurable improvements across five key pillars: Clinical Care, Access, Performance, Patient Experience, and Health Inequalities. Together, these pillars reflect our dedication to continuous improvement and equitable outcomes for all.
Reduction in travel-related carbon emissions using a Single Point of Access and triage service for ophthalmology referrals
This poster, presented by  Amy Hughes, Helen Haslett, Gayatri Nair, Vijay Balaji, Lisa Gibson and Rupesh Bagdai at the Oxford Ophthalmological Congress, highlights how a Single Point of Access (SPoA) triage system in Mid and South Essex reduced travel-related carbon emissions by 49%. By deflecting nearly 20% of ophthalmology referrals to primary care services or returning them to the referrer where secondary care wasn’t needed, the service saved over 7,000 km in travel and 1,320 kg of COâ‚‚e, supporting both greener NHS goals and more efficient patient care.
Outcomes of Glaucoma Enhanced Referral  Services (GERS) based in Primary Care Optometry in England from 2021 – 2024
This poster, presented by Tom Mackley, Â Amy Hughes and Anna Bhan at the Oxford Ophthalmological Congress, shares outcomes from over 14,000 patients assessed through Glaucoma Enhanced Referral Services (GERS) between 2021 and 2024. Nearly half (49%) were safely managed in primary care, avoiding referral to hospital services. The findings demonstrate the value of GERS in reducing false positives, easing pressure on glaucoma clinics and improving patient flow, supporting national guidance and offering a scalable model for wider adoption across the NHS.
Impact of commissioned primary care integrated cataract pathways
This poster, presented by Amy Hughes, Wendy Craven and Anna Bhan at the Oxford Ophthalmological Congress evaluates integrated cataract pathways across six Integrated Care Boards in England. The findings show a high cataract conversation rate (91.8%), over 10,000 secondary are appointments saved, 17 tonnes of COâ‚‚e emissions avoided, demonstrating how primary care-led pathways can enhance access, reduce hospital pressure, and support a greener NHS.
Seeing clearly? Attending sight tests and accessing opticians
Regular eye tests are vital to preventing avoidable sight loss, but not everyone can afford to access them. This Healthwatch England report explores people’s experiences of visiting high street opticians, with a focus on how cost and additional charges can deter those on low incomes from getting the care they need. Based on feedback from over 2,500 people, the findings highlight the need for clearer communication, better financial support and strong integration of optometrists into the NHS.
A strain on sight: Waiting for NHS specialist eye care
This report explore the experiences of over 2,000 people across England who are currently waiting or have recently waited for NHS specialist eye care. With nearly 600,000 people on ophthalmology waiting lists, this research reveals the series impact delays can have on people’s daily lives, mental health and vision. It also highlights the need for better referral pathways, clearer communication and greater use of community optometrists to improve access and reduce waiting times.
Public Perceptions Research General Optical Council
Annually, the General Optical Council (GOC) commissions independent research to explore public perceptions of eye care across the UK. This 2025 report, produced by DJS Research, reveals how satisfied people are with their eye care experiences, their confidence in managing eye health, and how accessible they find services. The insights inform GOC’s regulatory work and help shape policy to ensure eye care meets the needs of all communities.
A New Front Door: Reimagining Primary Care for the Next Decade
This series brings together bold, visionary essays from Optometry, Community Pharmacy and Dentistry primary care providers. Published by the NHS Confederation, this collection imagines a future where care is more local, connected and preventative, placing high street services at the heart of neighbourhood health.
Case Study: Community Urgent Eyecare Services
 This case study explores the challenges and illustrates how a CUES service provides impact and benefit.Â
Key interventions to Transform Eye Care and Eye Health
Conducted by PA Consulting and commissioned by Primary Eyecare Services, the Association of Optometrists (AOP), Fight for Sight, and Roche. This report reveals the often-overlooked clinical and socio-economic benefits of primary eye care.
Quality Account 2023-24
This Quality Account reports on the quality of services we deliver and outlines the milestones achieved across the five key quality domains of clinical care, access, performance, patient experience and health inequalities, while emphasising our commitment to social value principles.
Publication Scheme 2025-2026
This Publication Scheme is a guide to the information routinely made available to the public by the company. It is a description of the information about our NHS services, which we make publicly available. It will be reviewed at regular intervals, and we will monitor its effectiveness.Â
PSIRF Overview
The Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) incorporates our overarching patient safety strategy and aligns to the NHS approach to developing and sustaining efficient systems and procedures for responding to patient safety incidents.
Carbon Reduction Plan
Primary Eyecare Services is committed to achieving Net Zero for our directly controlled (Scope 1 and 2) emissions by 2025 and committed to Net Zero for NHS-reportable (Scope 3) emissions by 2040.
Our Strategy 2024–26
At the heart of our vision is the belief that innovation can be achieved through collaboration.Â
Modern Slavery Statement
Primary Eyecare Services recognise the importance of taking action to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in all our operations.
