Posters

Glaucoma vision screening: the significance of an organised intervention for the prevention and early management of a disease with a high morbidity index under the framework of the Greek NHS

Poster Details

First Author: E.Kanonidou GREECE

Co Author(s):    A. Papazacharia   Z. Tegou   S. Moutzouri   G. Karagiannidis-Stampoulis           

Abstract Details

Purpose:

Glaucoma is the leading cause of world blindness while the prevalence of open angle glaucoma is estimated 2-7% in people aged >40 years.Vision screening is a cost-effective method to detect individuals with visual impairment or eye-conditions that lead to visual impairment.Glaucoma vision screening is more effective when targeted at certain groups of population.Our purpose is to evaluate glaucoma patients’ relatives with regards to the outcomes of a glaucoma vision screening and to highlight the significance of such an intervention for the prevention and early management of a disease with a high morbidity index under the framework of the Greek NHS.

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology, Hippokrateion General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece

Methods:

Semi-automated equipment for measurement of intraocular pressure and handheld digital retinal camera for non-mydriatic eye fundus examination were used for screening. An experienced ophthalmologist evaluated the outcome measures. Patients requiring further investigation or treatment on the grounds of raised intraocular pressure or suspicious optic discs were subsequently examined at the specialist glaucoma clinic.

Results:

107 patients(40 males)with history of glaucoma in first-degree relatives participated.Mean age was 60.8 years old.They had no ocular comorbidities.33 were found to have IOP>21 mmHg in both eyes and 21 had c/d ratio >0.5 or c/d ratio asymmetry between eyes.11 had never had an eye examination before,24 visited an ophthalmologist rarely(every 5 years);68 had no understanding of the disease,90 had no knowledge about glaucoma initial symptoms and risk factors,only 7 recognized heredity as a risk factor. In terms of glaucoma detection,only 11 were aware of the importance of tonometry,10 of the significance of fundoscopy,while the rest reported no knowledge.

Conclusions:

Screening of high-risk population is essential for early recognition and treatment of glaucoma.Semi-automated equipment for measurement of IOP and handheld digital retinal camera for non-mydriatic fundus examination can be used for screening by the primary care physician and those with high IOP or abnormal optic disc can be assessed by an eye specialist.The telemedicine revolution can make local population access to glaucoma specialists more equitable,particularly in underserviced and rural areas.The telemedicine-based cooperation between the primary care physician and the ophthalmologist can secure a cost-effective way of early detection of glaucoma and regression of vision loss in glaucoma patients.

Financial Disclosure:

None