The evolving role of nurses and allied health professionals in the management of age-related macula degeneration

One of the major developments within the medical retinal (MR) over the last five years has been the introduction of an intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor medications (Anti-VEGFs) for patients with AMD and other macular disease. As a consequence of this development, outpatient attendances within the MR Service have increased significantly.

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists acknowledges challenges related to staffing levels. A document produced by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in 2009 stated that training nurses or technicians to perform intravitreal injections may offer a potential solution to increased pressure in the retinal therapies clinics despite the label recommending that intravitreal injections be given by trained ophthalmologists.

Nursing staff at Moorfields Eye Hospital have given over 15,000 injections now and are currently giving over 60% of all injections. Enabling nurses to be trained to perform intravitreal injections has improved the efficient delivery and capacity of the injection service and enabled national guidelines and service delivery targets to be met, whilst maintaining high standards of care with an excellent safety record.