Outcomes of referrals by community optometrists to a hospital glaucoma service.
Br J Ophthalmol
; 89(9): 1102-4, 2005 Sep.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16113358
ABSTRACT
AIM:
To determine the outcomes resulting from optometric referrals to a specialist glaucoma screening clinic over a 10 year period.METHODS:
Details of the initial clinical assessment of all new patients referred to the adult glaucoma screening clinic at Oxford Eye Hospital were collected prospectively from July 1994 to June 2004.RESULTS:
Optometrists working in community practice initiated 2505 referrals. Of these, glaucoma was confirmed in 510 patients (20.4%), including 160 with normal intraocular pressure (IOP). A diagnosis of ocular hypertension was made in 747 patients (29.8% of referrals) and 125 (5.0%) were categorised as glaucoma suspects. There was no evidence of a diagnostic trend over the period of data collection. Treatment to lower IOP was commenced in 458 patients (18.3%). Nearly half of those referred, 1148 (45.8%), were discharged from ophthalmological review at the first visit.CONCLUSION:
In this survey, the largest of its nature, only one in five subjects had glaucoma and nearly half were discharged from hospital ophthalmological review. The findings provide a baseline against which the effectiveness of any future system of glaucoma detection in the United Kingdom can be compared.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Optometry
/
Outpatient Clinics, Hospital
/
Referral and Consultation
/
Glaucoma
/
Mass Screening
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Screening_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Br J Ophthalmol
Year:
2005
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Reino Unido