Experience and efficiency of outreach diagnostics for glaucoma patients in Komsomolsk-on-Amur

Abstract

The efficiency of outreach diagnostics was assessed in 273 patients suffering from various forms glaucoma aged from 27 to 80 years. Following the developed algorithm, a set of instrumental and diagnostic tests was carried out to select 153 patients for surgical treatment and 64 patients for laser treatment. Necessary adjustments were made to the regimens of antihypertensive treatment for most patients, and recommendations were given. All glaucoma patients selected for surgical and laser treatment received timely and qualified assistance from specialists of the Khabarovsk branch of S. Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery Federal State Institution, which allowed the course of the disease to be stabilized and visual functions to be preserved. As a result, outreach consultations for patients with various forms of glaucoma showed their high efficiency. More than 60% of the examined patients were referred for surgical and laser treatment, 20% of patients were offered a corrected hypotensive regimen. Along with examining patients, outreach consultations provide methodological assistance for local ophthalmologists concerning the development of professional competencies in managing such patients. Due to a lack of ophthalmological services in regional polyclinical departments, the organization of outreach consultations for glaucoma patients is justified in terms of reducing cases of glaucoma progression and loss of visual functions.