Level of agreement among Latin American glaucoma subspecialists on the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma: results of an online survey.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this research was to assess the level of agreement among glaucoma experts in Latin America on key practices related to treatment and diagnosis of glaucoma.


METHODS
An online questionnaire was sent to a multinational panel of glaucoma experts. The questionnaire contained 107 statements on the medical treatment (Part 1) and diagnosis (Part 2) of glaucoma, and was developed in Spanish and translated into English. Agreement was defined as >70% of respondents.


RESULTS
Fifty participants from 14 countries completed the questionnaire. For the medical treatment of glaucoma, nearly all respondents (98% or greater) confirmed that medical treatment as first-line therapy is preferred to surgery, prostaglandin analogs are the medication of first choice for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), longitudinal monitoring of efficacy should include intraocular pressure, structural and functional status, as well as if patients' quality of life is impaired by the high cost of medication. For the diagnosis of glaucoma section, all respondents confirmed that, after initial examination, gonioscopy should be repeated over time, standard automated perimetry is the most important functional examination for diagnosis and monitoring of primary open-angle glaucoma, central corneal thickness is important in assessment of glaucoma, and computerized imaging tests help in clinical evaluation of optic disc.


CONCLUSIONS
This survey shows a high level of agreement on most aspects of glaucoma diagnosis and treatment among Latin American glaucoma experts. Areas of disagreement highlight the need for further evidence or education. These findings will be useful for guiding future efforts to optimize glaucoma practice by clinicians in Latin America.
Hospital Oftalmologico Santa Lucia, Buenos Aires, Argentina. dgrigera2@fibertel.com.ar
Daniel E
DE
Grigera
Paulo Augusto Arruda
PA
Mello
Wilma Lelis
WL
Barbosa
Javier Fernando
JF
Casiraghi
Rodolfo Perez
RP
Grossmann
Alejo
A
Peyret
D005901:Glaucoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D019538:Health Care Surveys / Q000379:methods; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007843:Latin America; D015588:Observer Variation; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012016:Reference Values; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014175:Translating