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Telemedicine model to prevent blindness from familial glaucoma

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 10:20 authored by Staffieri, SE, Ruddle, JB, Kearns, LS, Barbour, JM, Edwards, TL, Paul, P, David MackeyDavid Mackey
Background: To develop, implement and evaluate a telemedicine model to reduce glaucoma blindness through the early detection of undiagnosed glaucoma in high-risk individuals. Design: Prospective study, private ophthalmology practice and public outpatient clinics in Tasmania. Participants: One hundred and thirty-three individuals with primary open-angle glaucoma were invited to enrol their first-degree relatives (FDRs) to undergo an eye examination. Within the study period, 211 FDRs were available for examination. Methods: A registered nurse was trained to perform the required assessments. Clinical data were entered into a purpose-built database, converted to a portable document format and graded offsite by an ophthalmologist to determine the presence, absence or risk of developing glaucoma. Participants were notified of the grading result and recommendations for review. Main Outcome Measures: Incidence of undiagnosed glaucoma in a high-risk population. Results: Previously undiagnosed glaucoma was identified in 5% of those examined. For every 19 participants screened, one new case of previously undiagnosed case of glaucoma was identified. Additionally 15% of participants showed suspicious signs of glaucoma, and 6% had ocular hypertension. Conclusions: A telemedicine model is an efficient method for screening, grading and notifying participants of examination results. Nurses can be adequately trained to undertake the initial screening examinations, with grading of the results performed offsite by a suitably qualified ophthalmologist. Targeted screening for glaucoma increases the yield of identifying individuals with undiagnosed glaucoma or those at greatest risk. Cost efficiencies for this model of glaucoma screening should be further explored and implemented to prevent blindness from familial glaucoma.

History

Publication title

Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology

Volume

39

Issue

8

Pagination

760-765

ISSN

1442-6404

Department/School

Tasmanian School of Medicine

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell Publishing

Place of publication

USA

Rights statement

The definitive published version is available online at: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Clinical health not elsewhere classified

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