A STUDY ON THE BENEFITS OF TELEOPHTHALMOLOGY IN EYE CARE MANAGEMENT
Journal Title: Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences - Year 2018, Vol 7, Issue 28
Abstract
BACKGROUND Teleophthalmology allows us to overcome various hurdles and improve quality, access and affordability in eye care management. Logistic problems in utilisation of eye care services, concentration of ophthalmologists and corporate hospitals in metros and big cities and lack of resources for investment as well as inadequate trained manpower is some of the reasons for the high morbidity due to various ophthalmic diseases. The objective of the study is to show the benefits of Teleophthalmology in diagnosing and managing eye diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 1200 patients with ophthalmic complaints from different age groups attending two primary health centres linked to the Regional Eye Hospital, Visakhapatnam were studied and analysed over a period of six months, i.e. from 01-06-2017 to 31-12-2017. The study was mainly done by real time video conferencing. The PHCs are connected to the REH, Visakhapatnam via BSNL internet service, a Government of India enterprise. RESULTS In the six-month study, 1200 patients visiting the PHCs were evaluated. Among them 50% had refractive errors followed by cataract in 35%. Other diseases involving retina and corneas were seen in 3% and 1% of the patients respectively. Post cataract surgery complications like PCO was noticed in 5% of the patients. CONCLUSION Teleophthalmology is a boon to the ophthalmic patients with rural background and plays a key role in eye care management at the gross root level in developing country like India.
Authors and Affiliations
Rajiv Krishna K. S.
Keywords
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- EP ID EP537842
- DOI 10.14260/jemds/2018/726
- Views 64
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