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Hussain ZS, Muayad J, Harvey BJ, Al-Aswad LA, Fakoya AOJ, Yousefi S. Rates of Laser Trabeculoplasty by Ophthalmologists and Optometrists: A Comparative Analysis of the CMS Medicare Public Use File. Clin Ophthalmol 2024; 18:269-275. [PMID: 38312307 PMCID: PMC10838098 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s438052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose To provide a comparative analysis of rates of laser trabeculoplasty (LTP) among eye care providers in the USA. Methods This retrospective cohort analysis utilized the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Public Use File (PUF), 2015-2018. We used CPT code 65855 to select eye care providers who performed LTP in three key US states (KY, LA, and OK). Primary outcomes were eye provider differences in provider count, service count, unique beneficiary count, and Medicare-allowed payments. Asymptotic two-sided chi-squared tests were executed. Statistical significance was achieved at p<0.05. Results The sum of Medicare-allowed payments for LTP in all three states in 2018 was roughly 26% lower than in 2015. The proportion of Medicare-allowed payments furnished by optometrists increased from 11.3% to 17.9% between 2015 and 2018 (p<0.001). Relative to ophthalmologists, we observed significant increases in optometric Medicare-allowed payments in KY, LA, OK, and the all-inclusive tri-state cohort (all p<0.001). Furthermore, significant optometric increases in number of providers performing LTP (p=0.007), number of unique Medicare beneficiaries seen (p<0.001), and number of LTP services billed (p<0.001) were observed relative to ophthalmologists. Conclusion The recent expansion of surgical authority by optometrists in key US states is creating a tangible impact on ophthalmologic and optometric practice patterns. The findings of this study may act as provision for policymakers in the context of continually evolving guidelines for optometric surgical expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zain S Hussain
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Jawad Muayad
- Department of Ophthalmology, Texas A&M School of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Ben J Harvey
- Department of Ophthalmology, Dean McGee Eye Institute, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Lama A Al-Aswad
- Department of Ophthalmology, Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Adegbenro O J Fakoya
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA, USA
| | - Siamak Yousefi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center Hamilton Eye Institute, Memphis, TN, USA
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Tseng VL, Kitayama K, Yu F, Pan D, Coleman AL. Social Vulnerability, Prevalence of Glaucoma, and Incidence of Glaucoma Surgery in the California Medicare Population. Ophthalmol Glaucoma 2023; 6:616-625. [PMID: 37211091 DOI: 10.1016/j.ogla.2023.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine associations of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) scores with prevalence of glaucoma and incidence of glaucoma surgery in 2019 California Medicare beneficiaries. DESIGN Retrospective cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS 2019 California Medicare beneficiaries ≥ 65 years old with part A and part B coverage. METHODS The exposure of interest was SVI score, which was assessed overall and by themes. Outcomes included prevalence of glaucoma in the study population and incidence of glaucoma surgery in beneficiaries with glaucoma. Logistic regression modeling was performed to assess associations between quartiles of each type of SVI score, prevalence of glaucoma, and incidence of glaucoma surgery, controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, pseudophakia, and age-related macular degeneration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Prevalence of any glaucoma, primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), secondary open angle glaucoma (SOAG), and angle closure glaucoma in all beneficiaries. Incidence of any glaucoma surgery, trabeculectomy, tube shunt, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS), and cyclophotocoagulation (CPC) in beneficiaries with glaucoma. RESULTS Of 5 725 245 beneficiaries in the total study population, there were 215 814 (3.8%) with any glaucoma, and of those with glaucoma, 10 135/215 814 (4.7%) underwent glaucoma surgery. In adjusted analyses for overall SVI score, where higher levels of SVI refer to higher levels of social vulnerability, there were decreased odds of any glaucoma (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.83; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.82, 0.84 for Q4 vs. Q1), POAG (aOR = 0.85; 95% CI = 0.84, 0.87 for Q4 vs. Q1), and SOAG (aOR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.55, 0.63 for Q4 vs. Q1) in higher (Q4) vs. lower (Q1) SVI quartile. There were increased odds of any glaucoma surgery (aOR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.12, 1.26 for Q4 vs. Q1), MIGS (aOR = 1.24; 95% CI = 1.15, 1.33 for Q4 vs. Q1), and CPC (aOR = 1.49; 95% CI = 1.29, 1.76 for Q4 vs. Q1) for higher (Q4) vs. lower (Q1) SVI quartile. CONCLUSIONS In the 2019 California Medicare population, there were variable associations between SVI score, prevalence of glaucoma, and incidence of glaucoma surgery. Further investigation is needed to understand the role of social, economic, and demographic factors in glaucoma care on the individual and structural levels. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria L Tseng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein and Doheny Eye Institutes, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Ken Kitayama
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein and Doheny Eye Institutes, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Fei Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein and Doheny Eye Institutes, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Deyu Pan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein and Doheny Eye Institutes, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Anne L Coleman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein and Doheny Eye Institutes, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
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Tseng VL, Kitayama K, Yu F, Coleman AL. Disparities in Glaucoma Surgery: A Review of Current Evidence and Future Directions for Improvement. Transl Vis Sci Technol 2023; 12:2. [PMID: 37672254 PMCID: PMC10484012 DOI: 10.1167/tvst.12.9.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a need to understand existing disparities in glaucoma surgery and to create strategies to eliminate these disparities. Disparities can exist in several aspects of glaucoma surgical management, including patient selection and timing of surgery, type of surgery performed, intra-operative and postoperative surgical complications, follow-up surgical care, and long-term surgical outcomes. Additionally, multiple types of disparities can exist within each of these realms, including disparities by race and ethnicity, age, gender, insurance type, people with disabilities, and other social, economic, and demographic factors. Disparities in glaucoma surgery have been examined in large scale datasets, retrospective clinical studies, and clinical trials, and several studies have identified likely racial and ethnic disparities in glaucoma surgical incidence and outcomes. We present existing literature on disparities in glaucoma surgery, analyze the advantages and limitations of various study designs for the investigation of these disparities, and propose directions for future research and interventions to identify and eliminate disparities in surgical glaucoma care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria L. Tseng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein and Doheny Eye Institutes, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ken Kitayama
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein and Doheny Eye Institutes, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Fei Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein and Doheny Eye Institutes, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anne L. Coleman
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stein and Doheny Eye Institutes, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Elam AR, Tseng VL, Rodriguez TM, Mike EV, Warren AK, Coleman AL. Disparities in Vision Health and Eye Care. Ophthalmology 2022; 129:e89-e113. [PMID: 36058735 PMCID: PMC10109525 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2022.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Significant disparities in vision health and eye care exist. To achieve health equity, we must understand the root causes and drivers of health disparities and inequities, including social determinants of health and systemic racism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela R Elam
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, W. K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Center for Eye Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
| | - Victoria L Tseng
- UCLA Stein and Doheny Eye Institutes, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | | | - Elise V Mike
- Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Alexis K Warren
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Anne L Coleman
- UCLA Stein and Doheny Eye Institutes, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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Olivieri DJ, Lynch MG, Cockerham GC, Greenberg PB. A Survey of Glaucoma Surgery Practice Patterns in the Veterans Health Administration. Mil Med 2020; 185:e972-e976. [PMID: 32412083 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usaa033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Glaucoma surgical practice patterns are not well described in the United States (US). This study aims to evaluate the indications for and potential barriers to glaucoma surgery in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). MATERIALS AND METHODS An anonymous 10-question survey using REDCap (Nashville, TN) software was sent by mail (with web link) and email to ophthalmology chiefs at the 86 academically affiliated Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs). Academic-affiliated VAMCs were selected because of their patient range and role in ophthalmic education. Non-responders received two reminder e-mails and two phone calls; the survey was closed after 6 weeks. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS The response rate was 45% (39/86). Most respondents (92%) worked in an integrated eye clinic with both ophthalmology and optometry services. Almost half of the respondents (49%; 19/39) believed that laser trabeculoplasty (LTP) was an option for initial glaucoma therapy. Noncompliance was a commonly reported indication for LTP (95%), tube shunt procedures (65%), micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (59%), and trabeculectomy (48.7%). One third of the respondents believed that there were delays in glaucoma care. The respondents noted that significant barriers in access to surgery included lack of transportation (69%), scheduling challenges (62%), and delayed referral (62%). CONCLUSION This survey of glaucoma surgery practice patterns highlights the growing role of LTP and suggests that non-compliance and access remain significant barriers to glaucoma surgical care within the VHA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Olivieri
- Section of Ophthalmology, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI 02908.,Division of Ophthalmology, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903
| | - Mary G Lynch
- Section of Ophthalmology, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Atlanta, GA 30033.,Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Glenn C Cockerham
- Section of Ophthalmology, Palo Alto VA Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA 94304.,National Program Director, VHA Ophthalmology Service, VA Central Office 10P11, Washington, D.C. 20420.,Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Paul B Greenberg
- Section of Ophthalmology, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI 02908.,Division of Ophthalmology, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI 02903
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