Objective: Optometrists are increasingly adopting teleoptometry as an approach to delivering eye ... more Objective: Optometrists are increasingly adopting teleoptometry as an approach to delivering eye care. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created further opportunities for optometrists to utilize innovation in telehealth to deliver eye care to individuals who experience access barriers. A systematic literature review is presented detailing the evidence to support the use of teleoptometry. Methods: Databases of MEDLINE, Global Health, and Web of Science were searched, and articles were included if they reported any involvement of optometrists in the delivery of telehealth. Findings were reported according to the mode of telehealth used to deliver eye care, telehealth collaboration type, and the format and geographical areas where eye care via telehealth is being delivered. Results: Twenty-seven relevant studies were identified. Only 11 studies included the role of optometrists as a member of the telehealth team where the scope of practice extended beyond creating and receiving referrals, collecting clinical data at inperson services, and continuing in-person care following consultation with an ophthalmologist. Both synchronous and asynchronous telehealth services were commonly utilized. Optometrists were most commonly involved in ophthalmology-led telehealth collaborations (n = 19). Eight studies reported optometrists independently delivering primary eye care via telehealth, and commonly included videoconferencing. Conclusion: The application of teleoptometry to deliver eye care is rapidly emerging, and appears to be a viable adjunct to the delivery of in-person optometry services. The review highlighted the scarcity of evidence surrounding the clinical benefits, safety, and outcomes of teleoptometry. Further research is required in this area.
Purpose. Early detection and treatment of amblyogenic conditions such as high refractive errors a... more Purpose. Early detection and treatment of amblyogenic conditions such as high refractive errors and anisometropia can help prevent the development of amblyopia. The traditional gold standard for the determination of refractive error in preschool children is retinoscopy. Difficulties with retinoscopy in preschool children have led to the development of autorefractors that can be free of operator bias and can be used by lay individuals. The Nikon Retinomax Plus handheld autorefractor has proven to be reliable for quick and accurate assessments of refractive errors in children. The Welch Allyn SureSight Vision Screener is a relatively new handheld autorefractor. The present study compares the results of measurements with the Retinomax Plus and the SureSight to the results of cycloplegic retinoscopy in preschool children. Methods. Thirty-five children ranging in age from 3 to 5 years old were subjects. Any subjects with strabismus, amblyopia, nystagmus, or ocular disease were excluded. Refractive error was assessed 30 min after the application of a cycloplegic spray. Results. Both autorefractors showed moderate agreement with cycloplegic retinoscopy results for measurement of spherical equivalent and cylinder power. In addition, the SureSight and the Retinomax Plus sphere and cylinder results showed moderate agreement with each other. Although the mean differences of the spherical equivalents determined were minimal, the 95% confidence intervals were large, which limits the value of the data obtained from each instrument. Conclusions. Even though the Retinomax Plus and the SureSight appear to agree with each other and with the results of cycloplegic retinoscopy for determining sphere and cylinder power, interpretation of the data should be considered as screening only because the actual magnitude of sphere and cylinder may vary from the actual magnitude. These results suggest that either device may be useful only as screening tools for assessing refractive error in preschool children.
Purpose. This article provides a rationale for developing an integrated data system for recording... more Purpose. This article provides a rationale for developing an integrated data system for recording vision screening and eye care follow-up outcomes in preschool-aged children. The recommendations were developed by the National Expert Panel to the National Center for Children's Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness and funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services. Guidance is provided regarding specific elements to be included, as well as the characteristics and architecture of such a data system. Vision screening for preschool-aged children is endorsed by many organizations concerned with children's health issues. Currently, there is a lack of data on the proportion of children screened and no effective system to ensure that children who fail screenings access appropriate comprehensive eye examinations and follow-up care. Results. The expansion of currently existing, or developing integrated health information systems, which would include child-level vision screening data, as well as referral records and follow-up diagnosis and treatment, is consistent with the proposed national approach to an integrated health information system (National Health Information Infrastructure). Development of an integrated vision data system will enhance eye health for young children at three different levels: (1) the child level, (2) the health care provider level, and (3) an epidemiological level. Conclusions. It is critical that the end users, the professionals who screen children and the professionals who provide eye care, be involved in the development and implementation of the proposed integrated data systems. As essential stakeholders invested in ensuring quality eye care for children, this community of professionals should find increasing need and opportunities at local, state, and national levels to contribute to cooperative guidance for data system development.
The World Council of Optometry (WCO) relies on scientific practices and high quality research to ... more The World Council of Optometry (WCO) relies on scientific practices and high quality research to develop eye care guidelines.
Objective: Optometrists are increasingly adopting teleoptometry as an approach to delivering eye ... more Objective: Optometrists are increasingly adopting teleoptometry as an approach to delivering eye care. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created further opportunities for optometrists to utilize innovation in telehealth to deliver eye care to individuals who experience access barriers. A systematic literature review is presented detailing the evidence to support the use of teleoptometry. Methods: Databases of MEDLINE, Global Health, and Web of Science were searched, and articles were included if they reported any involvement of optometrists in the delivery of telehealth. Findings were reported according to the mode of telehealth used to deliver eye care, telehealth collaboration type, and the format and geographical areas where eye care via telehealth is being delivered. Results: Twenty-seven relevant studies were identified. Only 11 studies included the role of optometrists as a member of the telehealth team where the scope of practice extended beyond creating and receiving referrals, collecting clinical data at inperson services, and continuing in-person care following consultation with an ophthalmologist. Both synchronous and asynchronous telehealth services were commonly utilized. Optometrists were most commonly involved in ophthalmology-led telehealth collaborations (n = 19). Eight studies reported optometrists independently delivering primary eye care via telehealth, and commonly included videoconferencing. Conclusion: The application of teleoptometry to deliver eye care is rapidly emerging, and appears to be a viable adjunct to the delivery of in-person optometry services. The review highlighted the scarcity of evidence surrounding the clinical benefits, safety, and outcomes of teleoptometry. Further research is required in this area.
Purpose. Early detection and treatment of amblyogenic conditions such as high refractive errors a... more Purpose. Early detection and treatment of amblyogenic conditions such as high refractive errors and anisometropia can help prevent the development of amblyopia. The traditional gold standard for the determination of refractive error in preschool children is retinoscopy. Difficulties with retinoscopy in preschool children have led to the development of autorefractors that can be free of operator bias and can be used by lay individuals. The Nikon Retinomax Plus handheld autorefractor has proven to be reliable for quick and accurate assessments of refractive errors in children. The Welch Allyn SureSight Vision Screener is a relatively new handheld autorefractor. The present study compares the results of measurements with the Retinomax Plus and the SureSight to the results of cycloplegic retinoscopy in preschool children. Methods. Thirty-five children ranging in age from 3 to 5 years old were subjects. Any subjects with strabismus, amblyopia, nystagmus, or ocular disease were excluded. Refractive error was assessed 30 min after the application of a cycloplegic spray. Results. Both autorefractors showed moderate agreement with cycloplegic retinoscopy results for measurement of spherical equivalent and cylinder power. In addition, the SureSight and the Retinomax Plus sphere and cylinder results showed moderate agreement with each other. Although the mean differences of the spherical equivalents determined were minimal, the 95% confidence intervals were large, which limits the value of the data obtained from each instrument. Conclusions. Even though the Retinomax Plus and the SureSight appear to agree with each other and with the results of cycloplegic retinoscopy for determining sphere and cylinder power, interpretation of the data should be considered as screening only because the actual magnitude of sphere and cylinder may vary from the actual magnitude. These results suggest that either device may be useful only as screening tools for assessing refractive error in preschool children.
Purpose. This article provides a rationale for developing an integrated data system for recording... more Purpose. This article provides a rationale for developing an integrated data system for recording vision screening and eye care follow-up outcomes in preschool-aged children. The recommendations were developed by the National Expert Panel to the National Center for Children's Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness and funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the Health Resources and Services Administration, US Department of Health and Human Services. Guidance is provided regarding specific elements to be included, as well as the characteristics and architecture of such a data system. Vision screening for preschool-aged children is endorsed by many organizations concerned with children's health issues. Currently, there is a lack of data on the proportion of children screened and no effective system to ensure that children who fail screenings access appropriate comprehensive eye examinations and follow-up care. Results. The expansion of currently existing, or developing integrated health information systems, which would include child-level vision screening data, as well as referral records and follow-up diagnosis and treatment, is consistent with the proposed national approach to an integrated health information system (National Health Information Infrastructure). Development of an integrated vision data system will enhance eye health for young children at three different levels: (1) the child level, (2) the health care provider level, and (3) an epidemiological level. Conclusions. It is critical that the end users, the professionals who screen children and the professionals who provide eye care, be involved in the development and implementation of the proposed integrated data systems. As essential stakeholders invested in ensuring quality eye care for children, this community of professionals should find increasing need and opportunities at local, state, and national levels to contribute to cooperative guidance for data system development.
The World Council of Optometry (WCO) relies on scientific practices and high quality research to ... more The World Council of Optometry (WCO) relies on scientific practices and high quality research to develop eye care guidelines.
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