Abstract
Purpose: :
To understand the baseline content of care of community-based optometrists for patients with open-angle glaucoma relative to the guideline of the American Optometric Association (AOA)
Methods: :
Forty-two responses of a planned 64 optometrists participating in a randomized controlled trial to improve glaucoma care were analyzed for the content of care in patient evaluations. Participating optometrists completed a baseline assessment consisting of patient vignettes with open-ended responses, as well as descriptions of their referral patterns for glaucoma care and close-ended items regarding the AOA practice guideline.
Results: :
Among history elements for the initial evaluation of patients, respondents performed a median of 38% of recommended items (range 13 to 75%). 95% of respondents inquired about a family history of glaucoma while none would assess the impact of vision on activities of daily living. For recommended exam elements, a median of 71% of items would be performed (range of 37 to 92%). 100% of respondents would obtain a visual field and over 90% optic nerve head imaging.
Conclusions: :
Optometrists, similar to results with studies with ophthalmologists, have significant variation in conformance with professional (AOA) guidelines for the care of patients with open angle glaucoma. Opportunities exist for increasing conformance by focusing on specific areas.
Clinical Trial: :
www.clinicaltrials.gov 00672048
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: health care delivery/economics/manpower • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: systems/equipment/techniques