Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To determine and compare patient acceptability of the HRT II and GDx optic disc imaging systems. Methods: A qualitative questionnaire survey of patients referred to a primary care eye clinic with a possible diagnosis of glaucoma was carried out after randomization into sequential disc imaging by HRT II then GDx or GDx then HRT II. Only patients who had successful imaging by both HRT II and GDx were included. The questionnaire examined aspects including test duration, comfort of chin rest and ease of performance. Results: 66 completed the questionnaire. Of the 66, 27 of the 65 had no preference. Of those who had a preference (n=39), 31 preferred HRT II compared with 8 who preferred GDx (p<0.001, Binomial test). Reasons given for preferring HRT II over GDx included: 1. A shorter test duration (65%), 2. More comfortable (16%) and 3. Easier to perform test (19%). Reasons given for preferring GDx over HRT II included: 1. Easier to perform test (62.5%) and 2. More comfortable (25%). Conclusions: A significantly greater proportion of patients prefer imaging by HRT II to GDx (p<0.001, Binomial test) stating a shorter test duration as the main reason. Optic disc imaging may more likely to be found acceptable by patients if a short acquisition time can be achieved. This has implications for glaucoma screening if these instruments are to be used for this purpose
Keywords: imaging/image analysis: clinical • optic disc • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: sys