This is a recording of a live conference that took place on 6 October 2026. This recording will be available to view until 6 July 2027.
Eye problems are among the most common and potentially challenging presentations in primary care. With more than 2 million people currently living with sight loss in the UK - a figure projected to rise to over 4 million by 2050 - the need for timely recognition, management and referral of eye conditions has never been greater.
GPs are often the first healthcare professional consulted when patients experience visual symptoms, red eye, sudden vision changes or ocular discomfort. In fact, eye-related problems account for an estimated 4.5 million GP consultations each year, placing primary care at the heart of preventing avoidable sight loss and ensuring patients receive the right care at the right time.
Learning Objectives:
- Recognise and appropriately manage common ophthalmic presentations in primary care, including red eye, visual disturbance, painful eye conditions and chronic eye disease.
- Identify ophthalmic emergencies and key red flags that require urgent treatment or same-day referral to prevent avoidable sight loss.
- Apply a structured approach to eye assessment and referral decision-making, improving confidence, clinical efficiency and patient outcomes in everyday practice.
Topics include
- Diabetes and eyes
- Managing red eyes
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Eye problems in paediatrics
- Eyelids problems
Conference Chair:
Dr Waqaar Shah, FRCGP, RCGP Clinical Expert in Eye Health
