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OphthalmologyJune 2017184 citations

The Current State of Teleophthalmology in the United States.

Rathi Siddarth, Tsui Edmund, Mehta Nitish, Zahid Sarwar, Schuman Joel S


AI Summary

Teleophthalmology in the US is nascent, mostly "store and forward," but offers potential for earlier detection and improved monitoring of vision-threatening diseases like glaucoma.

Abstract

Telemedicine services facilitate the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of the remote patient. Telemedicine has rapidly flourished in the United States and has improved access to care, outcomes, and patient satisfaction. However, the use of telemedicine in ophthalmology is currently in its infancy and has yet to gain wide acceptance. Current models of telemedicine in ophthalmology are largely performed via "store and forward" methods, but remote monitoring and interactive modalities exist. Although studies have examined the effects of telemedicine, few reports have characterized its current status. We perform a descriptive analysis of the current state of teleophthalmology in the United States. We describe the use of teleophthalmology in the hospital and outpatient settings. We also review the applications to retinopathy of prematurity, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma, as well as anticipated barriers and hurdles for the future adoption of teleophthalmology. With ongoing advances in teleophthalmology, these models may provide earlier detection and more reliable monitoring of vision-threatening diseases.


MeSH Terms

Ambulatory CareDiabetic RetinopathyGlaucomaHospitalsHumansMacular DegenerationOphthalmologyPatient SatisfactionRetinopathy of PrematurityTelemedicineUnited States

Key Concepts6

The use of telemedicine in ophthalmology is currently in its infancy and has yet to gain wide acceptance.

EpidemiologyExpert OpinionDescriptive Analysisn=Not applicableCh10

Current models of telemedicine in ophthalmology are largely performed via "store and forward" methods, but remote monitoring and interactive modalities exist.

MethodologyExpert OpinionDescriptive Analysisn=Not applicableCh28

Teleophthalmology applications are relevant to retinopathy of prematurity, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and glaucoma.

DiagnosisExpert OpinionDescriptive Analysisn=Not applicableCh1Ch7Ch28

Telemedicine services facilitate the evaluation, diagnosis, and management of the remote patient.

MethodologyExpert OpinionDescriptive Analysisn=Not applicableCh28

Telemedicine has rapidly flourished in the United States and has improved access to care, outcomes, and patient satisfaction.

EpidemiologyExpert OpinionDescriptive Analysisn=Not applicableCh10

With ongoing advances in teleophthalmology, these models may provide earlier detection and more reliable monitoring of vision-threatening diseases.

PrognosisExpert OpinionDescriptive Analysisn=Not applicableCh28

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