Characterization of the Living Environments of End-Stage Glaucoma Patients and Use of Low-Vision Care Services: A Physician Survey Study

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to obtain ophthalmologists' characterization of their end-stage glaucoma patients and their assessment of key factors that may influence the referral patterns for low-vision care services. Methods: A survey of ophthalmologists in the United States was performed in June 2004 to measure physician demographics and professional activities, patient demographics, disease states and disability, and patient referral by physicians for low-vision care services. Results: The majority of the 100 respondents were male (87%) in private practice (52%) with mean age of 45 years (range = 29-46). Overall, 87% of respondents saw an average of over 150 glaucoma patients per year, diagnosing between 20 and 50 glaucoma patients annually. For patients with glaucoma, surveyed ophthalmologists reported 12% (range = 0-60%) had end-stage glaucoma, of which 30% had diabetes, 16% had retinopathy, and 6% will progress to bilateral blindness. Physicians estimated 60% of end-stage glaucoma patients experience field loss to a degree that it impacts their ability to live independently. However, only 45% of end-stage glaucoma patients were referred for low-vision care services-9% less than the percentage of blind patients referred for low-vision care. Conclusion: End-stage glaucoma affects a large number of patients and impacts patients' ability to live independently. Based on the ophthalmologists surveyed, only an estimated 45% of patients are referred to low-vision centers. Low-vision care services are underutilized due to numerous factors that affect the likelihood of patients being referred to and using low-vision care services.

Manejo interdisciplinario de la baja visión por miopía degenerativa: reporte de caso

“…Se estima que el número de niños con deficiencia visual asciende a 19 millones, de los cuales 12 millones la padecen debido a errores de refracción fácilmente diagnosticables y corregibles. Así mismo, unos 1,4 millones de menores de 15 años sufren ceguera irreversible (6,23). En México, de acuerdo con datos de la Secretaría de Salud, más del 40 % de la población padece algún tipo de ametropía (20).…”