Journal article
Telemedicine model to prevent blindness from familial glaucoma
SE Staffieri, JB Ruddle, LS Kearns, JM Barbour, TL Edwards, P Paul, DA Mackey
Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology | WILEY | Published : 2011
Abstract
Background: To develop, implement and evaluate a telemedicine model to reduce glaucoma blindness through the early detection of undiagnosed glaucoma in high-risk individuals. Design: Prospective study, private ophthalmology practice and public outpatient clinics in Tasmania. Participants: One hundred and thirty-three individuals with primary open-angle glaucoma were invited to enrol their first-degree relatives (FDRs) to undergo an eye examination. Within the study period, 211 FDRs were available for examination. Methods: A registered nurse was trained to perform the required assessments. Clinical data were entered into a purpose-built database, converted to a portable document format and gr..
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Funding Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the Tasmanian Ophthalmologists for their assistance of this project and the GIST over the last 17 years; the participating ophthalmologists for allowing access to their private records and use of their private consulting suite facilities for field work (Dr Paul McCartney, Hobart Eye Surgeons, Hobart; Dr Michael Haybittel, North-West Medical Centre, Burnie; Dr Brendan Vote, Launceston Eye Institute, Launceston; Dr Ian Murrell, Launceston Eye Institute, Launceston; and Dr Nick Downie, Launceston Eye Hospital, Launceston); Ross Dunn, Centre for Eye Research Australia, Melbourne, for assistance with database development; Dr Evelyn O'Neill, Centre for Eye Research Australia, Melbourne; Dr Paul O'Connell, Centre for Eye Research Australia, Melbourne; Nicole Van Bergen, Centre for Eye Research Australia, Melbourne, and Rachel Adams, Launceston Eye Institute, Launceston, for assistance with field work; Patricia Coleman, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, for laboratory assistance; Maree Ring, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, for genealogy assistance and Anneliese Wicks RN, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, for initial recruitment and examination work on the project. This project was federally funded by the National Eye Health Initiative, Department of Health and Ageing. Support from ORIA and the RANZCO Eye Foundation is acknowledged. Professor David Mackey is a recipient of the Pfizer Australia Senior Research Fellowship. In addition, the Centre for Eye Research Australia receives Operational Infrastructure Support from the Victorian Government.