Abstract
Purpose :
To assess whether a community-based ocular screening model that integrates ocular examinations into the annual general health examination is a feasible, effective and economical strategy for improving the provision of ocular services for the elderly.
Methods :
A novel ocular screening model combined with modernized technology was proposed and developed. All community residents who participated in the annual general health examinations (aged ≥ 60 years old) were invited to participate in the Wenzhou Eye Study. First, four basic ocular examinations, including assessments of presenting distance visual acuity, autorefraction, intraocular pressure and fundus photography, were performed to detect the most common ocular diseases. The fully automatic technology, digital recording method and real-time data transmission greatly facilitated the community screening process. Second, outpatient services in the community were offered to participants for further explanination. Third, enhanced management with subsequent referral was provided to participants with high-risk ocular disorders.
Results :
A total of 3459 participants (response rate of 91.4%) volunteered to take part in the first step of the ocular screening project. The majority went on to complete the full ocular examinations, which took an average of five minutes to complete using automatic examination technology. Among these, 2149 (62.1%) participants attended further outpatient services in the second step of the ocular screening process, and 655 participants (18.9%) were suggested for further diagnosis and treatment in a tertiary hospital. Visual impairment was identified in 1280 (39.5%) individuals, including 593 (18.3%) with mild visual impairment, 433 (13.4%) with moderate visual impairment and 254 (7.8%) with severe visual impairment or blindness. The rates of suspect glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy were 16.8% and 3.7%, respectively. The cost of screening each patient with referable and treatable ocular disease was about US$19.8.
Conclusions :
This novel community-based ocular screening model integrated into the annual general health examination offers opportunities to detect preventable or treatable ocular diseases among high-risk elderly. The model demonstrated great feasibility, practicality and economy in design and technology, with significant potential for implementation in other areas of China.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.