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Abstract #112274 Published in IGR 24-3
Alabama Screening and Intervention for Glaucoma and Eye Health through Telemedicine (AL-SIGHT): Baseline Results
Owsley C; Swain TA; McGwin G; Nghiem VTH; Register S; Asif IM; Fazio M; Antwi-Adjei EK; Girkin CA; Rhodes LAAmerican Journal of Ophthalmology 2024; 257: 66-75
PURPOSE: To describe baseline results of the Alabama Screening and Intervention for Glaucoma and Eye Health through Telemedicine (AL-SIGHT) for patients at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). Candidates were persons at risk for glaucoma-associated diseases (GAD) based on age, race/ethnicity, current diagnosis of GAD, family history, and diabetes. DESIGN: Baseline screening visit followed by remote diagnosis and referral for follow-up examinations. METHODS: Patients presenting to FQHCs who were at least 18 years of age were enrolled and underwent screening for acuity, autorefraction, intraocular pressure, visual field testing, and fundus imaging. RESULTS: were transmitted to an ophthalmologist at University of Alabama at Birmingham for diagnosis who made referrals for follow-up; follow-up attendance was noted. Questionnaires assessed participants' perspectives on screening. Primary outcomes were rates of disease detection, referral for follow-up, follow-up attendance, and participant satisfaction. RESULTS: Of the 500 participants enrolled (mean age 58 years), 45.6% were African American and 51.6% White. Remote diagnostic evaluation of ocular screening by ophthalmologist revealed 30% GAD, 6.8% diabetic retinopathy, 37.6% cataract, 68.4% refractive error, 9.2% other eye conditions. In all, 47.2% of the participants were referred for follow-up examination and for acuity 20/40 or worse or IOP ≥23 mm Hg in one or both eyes. Follow-up examination attendance was 76.7% for those referred. Participants reported being very satisfied with screening (85.8%) and with the convenience of screening in their primary care clinic (92.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The high percentage of patients diagnosed with treatable eye conditions at telemedicine screening suggest these programs in FQHCs can be effective and scalable nationwide. Attendance when referred for follow-up examination was high. Participants welcomed screenings in their communities.
From the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (C.O., T.A.S., G.M., S.R.M.F., E.K.A.-A., C.A.G., L.A.R.), Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Electronic address: cynthiaowsley@uabmc.edu.
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