Cambridge community Optometry Glaucoma Scheme. (23rd September 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Keenan, Jonathan; Shahid, Humma; Bourne, Rupert R; White, Andrew J; Martin, Keith R
• Is Part Of: Clinical & experimental ophthalmology. Volume 43:Number 3(2015)
• Page Start: 221
• Page End: 227
• Publication Date: 2014-09-23
• Subjects: Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.1111/ceo.12398
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1442-6404

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="ceo12398-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>With a higher life expectancy, there is an increased demand for hospital glaucoma services in the United Kingdom.</p> </sec> <sec id="ceo12398-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Design</title> <p>The Cambridge community Optometry Glaucoma Scheme (COGS) was initiated in 2010, where new referrals for suspected glaucoma are evaluated by community optometrists with a special interest in glaucoma, with virtual electronic review and validation by a consultant ophthalmologist with special interest in glaucoma.</p> </sec> <sec id="ceo12398-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Participants</title> <p>1733 patients were evaluated by this scheme between 2010 and 2013.</p> </sec> <sec id="ceo12398-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Clinical assessment is performed by the optometrist at a remote site. Goldmann applanation tonometry, pachymetry, monoscopic colour optic disc photographs and automated Humphrey visual field testing are performed. A clinical decision is made as to whether a patient has glaucoma or is a suspect, and referred on or discharged as a false positive referral. The clinical findings, optic disc photographs and visual field test results are transmitted electronically for virtual review by a consultant ophthalmologist.</p> </sec> <sec id="ceo12398-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Main Outcome Measures</title> <p>The number of false positive referrals from initial referral into the scheme.</p> </sec> <sec id="ceo12398-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Of the patients, 46.6% were discharged at assessment and a further 5.7% were discharged following virtual review. Of the patients initially discharged, 2.8% were recalled following virtual review. Following assessment at the hospital, a further 10.5% were discharged after a single visit.</p> </sec> <sec id="ceo12398-sec-0007" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The COGS community‐based glaucoma screening programme is a safe and effective way of evaluating glaucoma referrals in the community and reducing false‐positive referrals for glaucoma into the hospital system.</p> </sec> </abstract>