House of Commons · Westminster Hall
09 July 2025 · 9 other contributors · 8,905 words
Opened by Shockat Adam Ind Leicester South
Responding minister: Stephen Kinnock
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Shockat Adam raised concerns about glaucoma awareness in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
Adam calls for increased awareness and regular eye tests to prevent glaucoma and for a shift towards community-based care, including optometrist-led services that could free up hospital appointments and save the NHS £12 million annually.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
As an optometrist, Shockat Adam highlights the silent and often undiagnosed nature of glaucoma, which affects over 700,000 people in the UK with more than half undiagnosed. He cites examples of patients who have lost significant vision without realising it until too late.
Congratulated Shockat Adam on securing this debate and suggested a proactive approach where GPs make referrals for individuals at higher risk.
Shared his personal story of being diagnosed with glaucoma at 25 and the importance of early detection, noting that without it he would have been blind in his mid-30s.
He praised the hon. Member for Leicester South for raising important health issues and highlighted that glaucoma affects about 700,000 people in the UK with potential blindness. He called on the Government to consider commissioning a national glaucoma pathway as suggested by the Association of Optometrists. Asked about the Full Fact and Sky News report that highlighted a slowdown in appointments despite delivering 4 million additional ones.
Ophthalmology waiting lists grew longer under the previous Government. Early intervention is key to preventing long-term health issues and chronic shortage of ophthalmologists needs addressing.
Mr. Mohamed supported the idea of investing in community-based services to better manage glaucoma, citing examples from London where diagnostic hubs have halved hospital referrals and saved millions.
Eyecare Ayrshire promotes early intervention through local optometrists. The service directs people to go to an optometrist, which can be vital if there are any underlying or undiagnosed eye conditions.
Mr. Shannon highlighted the prevalence of glaucoma in Northern Ireland, citing a study that found a 2.83% rate among people aged 50 and above. He also mentioned advancements such as iStent injects now being offered routinely at Altnagelvin area hospital and Belfast city hospital.
Gregory Campbell supports Shockat Adam's call for regular eye tests, emphasizing that even if no other progress is made from this debate, raising awareness about the importance of early detection can significantly impact prevention.
Thanked each MP for their contribution and highlighted the growing number of people with glaucoma due to an ageing population. Emphasised the importance of utilising optometry as a primary eyecare provider, similar to GPs and pharmacists.
Government Response
Stephen KinnockThe Minister for Care
Thanked Dr Shockat Adam for securing the debate, acknowledged the importance of glaucoma detection through regular sight tests, and highlighted the NHS investment in over £600 million annually for sight tests. Emphasised the reduction of NHS waiting lists by over 230,000 patients including ophthalmology since July 2024, delivering more than 4 million additional appointments. Also discussed the implementation of glaucoma referral refinement services and the aim to reduce waiting times for eye care.