Abstract
Importance: Under-detection and late diagnosis are major causes of glaucoma-related visual impairment. Cost-effective opportunistic glaucoma screening is of great interest in the early identification and prevention of glaucoma.
Background: To describe the results of a health examination centre-based opportunistic glaucoma screening and referral model.
Design: This single centre cross-sectional study was conducted in a health examination centre affiliated to a tertiary hospital in Shenyang, northeastern China.
Participants: From 21 March to 30 September 2016, 14 367 individuals aged ≥ 30 years undergoing routine physical examinations were invited for this glaucoma screening.
Methods: Presenting visual acuity, non-contact pneumotonometry and non-mydriatic fundus photography were evaluated. Fundus photographs were classified as non-glaucoma, possible, probable and definitive glaucoma. Participants with probable and definite glaucomatous discs or intraocular pressure ≥ 24 mmHg were referred for definitive examinations.
Main Outcome Measures: Detection rate of glaucoma suspects and ocular hypertension (OHT). Cost to identify a single case with suspected and diagnosed glaucoma was also calculated.
Results: Altogether, 277 glaucoma suspects and 327 ocular hypertension suspects were identified. Among 190 participants with probable/definite glaucomatous discs, 93 (48.9%) accepted further examination. Among these, 78 were diagnosed as glaucoma, seven as suspects and eight were excluded. Only 98 ocular hypertension suspects (30.0%) accepted further examinations: eight had primary angle closure and 23 had confirmed ocular hypertension. The cost to identify a single glaucoma suspect and definite glaucoma case were US$135 and US$857, respectively.
Conclusions and Relevance: This novel screening model provides opportunities to improve glaucoma detection at low cost. Interventions to improve follow-up are needed.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1000-1008 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology |
Volume | 47 |
Issue number | 8 |
Early online date | 20 Jun 2019 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 21 Nov 2019 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2019 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists
Keywords
- glaucoma
- health examination centre
- opportunistic screening
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ophthalmology