title: The economics of telemedicine for vitreoretinal diseases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A literature review was conducted presenting the current data on the economics of telemedicine in vitreoretinal diseases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There have been an increasing number of studies evaluating the cost-effectiveness of telemedicine for vitreoretinal diseases. The availability of ophthalmologists able to screen for these conditions is limited. Teleophthalmology has been playing a larger role in screening for diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, and age-related macular degeneration. Many telemedicine programs are currently being investigated and implemented.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Telemedicine is a cost-effective means for screening diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity. It can alleviate some of the burden of this growing public health problem. However, the large initial cost associated with beginning a teleophthalmology retinal screening program is a barrier to implementation. Additional studies are needed in the area of telemedicine for age-related macular degeneration.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Au
authors: Omesh
authors: O
authors: Gupta
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics*; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000191:economics; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics*; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000191:economics*