Memorandum by Professor Roger J Buckley
(AL 70)
I am glad of the opportunity to comment on
the forthcoming inquiry on the provision of allergy services.
1. Ocular allergy affects around 21% of
the adult population of this country, usually on a seasonal basis.
2. Ocular allergy is not fully addressed
by clinical allergists, dermatologists, pediatricians, ENT specialists,
chest physicians, general practitioners or others who diagnose
and treat allergic disease, principally because they do not have
the equipment or training to enable them to examine the ocular
tissues in detail. Insufficient ophthalmologists, even including
those specialising in ocular surface and anterior segment disorders,
have a specific interest in ocular allergy. The result is that
the medical profession as a whole neglects this important area.
3. It is often left to nurses, pharmacists
and the patients themselves to diagnose and treat ocular allergy,
using Pharmacy medicines.
4. Whereas most ocular allergy does not
threaten sight, there exist important severe chronic diseases
(such as vernal keratoconjunctivitis and atopic keratoconjundivitis)
that are specifically sight-threatening. Such conditions should
only be managed by ophthalmologists experienced in such work.
5. In conclusion, ocular allergy is a neglected
area in this country. Professional bodies such as the Royal College
of Ophthalmologists could address this issue by providing training
programs, in the first instance for trainee ophthalmologists.
May 2004
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