Philadelphia Telemedicine Glaucoma Detection and Follow-Up Study: Cataract Classifications Following Eye Screening.
Telemed J E Health
; 26(8): 992-1000, 2020 08.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31721654
ABSTRACT
Background:
Cataracts are a major cause of visual impairment and blindness in the United States and worldwide.Introduction:
Risk factors for cataracts include age over 40 years, smoking, diabetes, low socioeconomic status, female sex, steroid use, ocular trauma, genetic factors, and exposure to ultraviolet-B light. Community-based telemedicine vision screenings can be an efficient method for detecting cataracts in underserved populations. The Philadelphia Telemedicine Glaucoma Detection and Follow-Up Study reports the prevalence and risk factors for cataracts in individuals screened and examined for glaucoma and other eye diseases.Materials andMethods:
A total of 906 high-risk individuals were screened for glaucoma using telemedicine in seven primary care practices and four Federally Qualified Health Centers in Philadelphia. Participants with suspicious nerves or other abnormalities on fundus photographs, unreadable images, and ocular hypertension returned for an eye examination with an ophthalmologist at the same community location.Results:
Of the participants screened through telemedicine, 347 (38.3%) completed a follow-up eye examination by an ophthalmologist. Of these, 267 (76.9%) were diagnosed with cataracts, of which 38 (14.2%) had visually significant cataracts. Participants who were diagnosed with visually significant cataract were more likely to be older (p < 0.001), have diabetes (p = 0.003), and worse visual acuity (p < 0.001).Discussion:
Our study successfully detected and confirmed cataracts in a targeted, underserved urban population at high risk for eye disease.Conclusions:
Telemedicine programs offer an opportunity to identify and refer individuals who would benefit from continuous follow-up eye care and treatment to improve visual function and quality of life.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Catarata
/
Glaucoma
/
Telemedicina
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
/
Screening_studies
Límite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
País/Región como asunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Telemed J E Health
Asunto de la revista:
INFORMATICA MEDICA
/
SERVICOS DE SAUDE
Año:
2020
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos