Barriers to Receiving Follow-Up Eye Care and Detection of Non-Glaucomatous Ocular Pathology in the Philadelphia Glaucoma Detection and Treatment Project.
This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate adherence rates and identify barriers to receiving follow-up eye care in participants diagnosed with significant non-glaucomatous eye pathology in the Philadelphia Glaucoma Detection and Treatment Project. This community-based project aimed to improve detection, management, treatment, and follow-up eye care of individuals at high risk for glaucoma in community-based settings. Participants throughout Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA were enrolled. After a comprehensive eye examination, follow-up recommendations were given to each participant. A telephone survey was administered to individuals diagnosed with non-glaucomatous ocular pathology 3 months after initial eye examination to assess rates of follow-up and to evaluate potential barriers to follow-up. Of the 1649 participants enrolled in this project, 249 (15 %) were diagnosed with significant non-glaucomatous ocular pathology requiring follow-up care. There were 143 (57 %) who responded to the telephone survey. Respondents had a median age of 72 years, and were predominately female (69 %) and African-American (64 %). Of the respondents, 36 (25 %) attended a follow-up appointment. Participants who did not remember the results of their examinations, did not remember their recommendations, and had not seen an eye doctor within the past year were less likely to make a follow-up appointment (P = 0.04, 0.001 and 0.005, respectively). The Philadelphia Glaucoma Detection and Treatment Program was able to detect a significant amount of non-glaucomatous ocular pathology requiring follow-up care. Actual follow-up rates were sub-optimal. Further research is needed to determine interventions to overcome barriers and increase adherence with follow-up recommendations.
Wills Eye Hospital Glaucoma Research Center, 840 Walnut Street, Suite 1110, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
Cindy X
CX
Zheng
Wills Eye Hospital Glaucoma Research Center, 840 Walnut Street, Suite 1110, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
Wanda D
WD
Hu
Wills Eye Hospital Glaucoma Research Center, 840 Walnut Street, Suite 1110, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
Judie
J
Tran
Wills Eye Hospital Glaucoma Research Center, 840 Walnut Street, Suite 1110, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
Linda
L
Siam
Wills Eye Hospital Glaucoma Research Center, 840 Walnut Street, Suite 1110, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
Giuliana G
GG
Berardi
Wills Eye Hospital Glaucoma Research Center, 840 Walnut Street, Suite 1110, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
Harjeet
H
Sembhi
Wills Eye Hospital Glaucoma Research Center, 840 Walnut Street, Suite 1110, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
Lisa A
LA
Hark
Wills Eye Hospital Glaucoma Research Center, 840 Walnut Street, Suite 1110, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA.
L Jay
LJ
Katz
Wills Eye Hospital Glaucoma Research Center, 840 Walnut Street, Suite 1110, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA. mwaisbourd@willseye.org.
Michael
M
Waisbourd
D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015143:Philadelphia
Access to eye care; Barriers; Community eye screening; Detection of eye disease; Underserved population