Abstract
Purpose :
Purpose: Glaucoma patients experience irreversible vision loss that affects activities of daily living including reading, driving and mobility. Published literature has shown that a quarter of glaucoma providers follow the American Academy of Ophthalmology practice guidelines of referring patients to low vision service when visual acuity in the better seing eye drops to 20/40 or worse. Data on referral rates and completion of low vision services in this patient group is lacking. A retrospective chart review in a tertiary care center was completed to identify the number of low vision referrals from the glaucoma service and the number of those patients who attended their low vision exams.
Methods :
Methods: A retrospective record review of patients seen in the glaucoma service of an academic medical center from 7/2 - 7/18/18 was conducted. Patients with visual acuity of 20/40 or worse in the better eye were identified. The following data were gathered: age, gender, visual acuities of both eyes, completed low vision exams, documented discussion of low vision services, how long the patient had 20/40 or worse in the better eye prior to receiving services and referral source (OD vs MD). Descriptive statistics were used.
Results :
Results: 509 charts were reviewed, 29 patients with 20/40 or worse in the better eye were identified. Mean age was 78 [16.9] years of age, with a range of 24-96 years of age. Male/female distribution was 13/16 (45% male and 55% female). Average visual acuity in the better seeing eye was 0.639logmar, in the worse eye 0.929logmar. Low vision consultation was completed for 15/29 (52%) patients, all of which had documentation of low vision service discussion and referrals. Of the patients who did not receive low vision services 14/29 (48%) only two had documented discussions about low vision care. 11/15 (73%) of the patients who received low vision services, had vision worse than 20/40 for > 2 years before being seen by a low vision specialist. Of the 15 completed examinations, 6 were referred by ophthalmologists and 9 were referred by optometrists.
Conclusions :
Conclusion: 52% of low vision patients seen by glaucoma providers were referred and received low vision care. This is higher than referral rates reported in the literature, in addition to self-reported rates by glaucoma providers. However, the majority of low vision patients had their vision loss for > 2 years before seeing a low vision specialist
This is a 2021 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.