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Abstract #15225 Published in IGR 8-4
Glaucoma screening during regular optician visits: can the population at risk of developing glaucoma be reached?
Stoutenbeek R; Jansonius NMBritish Journal of Ophthalmology 2006; 90: 1242-1244
AIM: To determine the percentage of the population at risk of developing glaucoma, which can potentially be reached by conducting glaucoma screening during regular optician visits. METHODS: 1,200 inhabitants aged > 40 years were randomly selected from Dutch community population databases. A questionnaire was mailed to these inhabitants with questions on their latest optician visit and risk factors for glaucoma. A second questionnaire was sent to their opticians, who were asked about their willingness to conduct an additional glaucoma screening programme in the future. RESULTS: The questionnaire was returned by 959 of 1,200 inhabitants and 37 of 50 opticians. The percentage of inhabitants who visited an optician during a 5-year period was 83% (95% confidence interval (CI) 80% to 85%). This percentage was adjusted for the presence of risk factors for glaucoma to obtain the percentage of the population at risk of developing glaucoma. The percentage of opticians willing to cooperate in a glaucoma screening programme extended beyond a non-contact tonometry measurement alone was 91% (95% CI 77% to 98%). CONCLUSION: By conducting glaucoma screening during regular optician visits, a large section of the population at risk of developing glaucoma can be reached.
Dr. R. Stoutenbeek, Department of Ophthalmology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
Classification:
1.6 Prevention and screening (Part of: 1 General aspects)
