Glaucoma Treatment at Cassidy Eyecare

It has long been a source of frustration for us and our patients, that we have not been able to write prescriptions for their glaucoma medications.  Running low on glaucoma drops always meant a visit to the ophthalmologist, or an additional visit to a GP, who doesn't have the tools to evaluate glaucoma properly.  Fortunately, due to legislation passed in late 2014, that has changed.  Appropriately qualified optometrists are now allowed to write prescriptions for glaucoma medication, meaning a more convenient and cost-effective option is available.

At Cassidy Eyecare, we are one of the first practices in NZ to have completed the legal requirements needed to prescribe these medications.  We can now write a prescription for your glaucoma eye drops as part of our general eye exam.  At our practice we have the instrumentation needed to measure eye pressure, test visual fields, and also analyse the nerve fibre layer directly using an optical coherence tomographer (OCT), so you can be confident we are able to assess your vision thoroughly.

We like to work in conjunction with our ophthalmologist colleagues.  If you are under care of an eye specialist for glaucoma, we strongly advise that you continue seeing your specialist.  If your glaucoma is well-controlled, however, we may be able to co-manage your condition with them.  This means lower cost and more convenience for you, with the support of two dedicated professional eye-care teams looking out for your vision.

We're looking forward to this increased involvement in our patients eye care.