Assessment of glaucoma referral letter for quality and accuracy among patients referred to a tertiary eye care center

Purpose: To assess the quality and accuracy of glaucoma referrals from ophthalmologist. Methods: Retrospective review of patients chart with referral letter to a tertiary glaucoma center between January and December 2017. Patients aged <16 years, lens-induced glaucoma, uveitic glaucoma, and glaucoma following retinal and corneal surgery were excluded. Results: A total of 184 patients referred by 55 ophthalmologists were included. Mean patient age (SD) was 57.8 ± 14 years. Intraocular pressure was not documented in the referral letter in 113 (61%) patients, gonioscopy in 174 (95%) patients, disc findings in 149 (81%) patients, and visual fields in 175 (95%) patients. Thirteen (37%) of the 35 patients referred as open angle glaucoma were found to have angle closure glaucoma. Pseudoexfoliation glaucoma was diagnosed in 29 (16%) patients, of which 18 were missed by the referring ophthalmologist. Conclusion: In our study >90% of referral letter did not have the essential parameters. A standard template for glaucoma referral is suggested, which will help the patient to get better transfer of care.

Keywords

Angle closure glaucoma, glaucoma, gonioscopy, referral letter

Citation

Venkataraman P, Chandran P, Faheem M, Arunaachalam V, Aboobacker N, Raman GV. Assessment of glaucoma referral letter for quality and accuracy among patients referred to a tertiary eye care center. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology. 2020 Mar; 68(3): 471-474

URI

https://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/197830

Collections

Indian Journal of Ophthalmology

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