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England L, O’Connor A. Do Socioeconomic Inequalities Exist Within Ophthalmology and Orthoptics in the UK?: A Scoping Review. Br Ir Orthopt J 2024; 20:31-47. [PMID: 38250169 PMCID: PMC10798172 DOI: 10.22599/bioj.338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction It is well documented that socioeconomic disadvantage adversely affects general health and ocular health worldwide. Within orthoptics, while clinicians recognise a relationship between socioeconomic situation and treatment outcome, no previous literature review was found to address this issue. Neither was a UK-specific literature review found to address the same issue for ophthalmology as a whole. Aim This literature review evaluates evidence for an association between socioeconomic situation and ophthalmic/orthoptic conditions and their treatment outcomes, specifically within the UK. Methods Keyword searches were conducted on Google Scholar and the University of Liverpool library catalogue. Results for the main analyses were limited to full papers, specific to the UK, written in English. Literature was only included from pre-2000 if more recent evidence was insufficient. Results There is evidence of socioeconomic disadvantage being associated with the following: reduced visual acuity; reduced attendance at diabetic retinopathy screening appointments; and delayed presentation of glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. However, evidence linking socioeconomic disadvantage to AMD is mixed. There is limited evidence of the increased prevalence of amblyopia and subsequent barriers to its treatment for socioeconomically underserved children. There is also evidence of a reduction in quality of life for socioeconomically underserved adults with strabismus. Conclusions Health inequalities within ophthalmology and orthoptics are reported, but with confounding results for some conditions. Further research should explore the reasons behind the inequalities that are found and identify methods of reducing them.
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Choi A, Nawash BS, Du K, Ong J, Chhablani J. Barriers to care in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: Current understanding, developments, and future directions. Surv Ophthalmol 2024; 69:160-164. [PMID: 37716480 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2023.09.001] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Neovascular age-related macular degeneration is the advanced and irreversible stage of age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of severe vision loss in older adults. While anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections have been shown to preserve or improve vision quality in eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration, the treatment regimen can be demanding of patients and caregivers, leading to lower rates of adherence. Therefore, it is crucial that disparities and obstacles in neovascular age-related macular degeneration care are identified to improve access to treatment. Review of the current literature revealed 7 major categories of barriers: travel burden, psychological barriers, financial burden and socioeconomic status, treatment regimen, other comorbidities, provider-level barriers, and system-level barriers. We provide an overview of the major barriers to neovascular age-related macular degeneration care that have been reported, as well as gaps in research that need to be investigated further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Choi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Baraa S Nawash
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Katherine Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Joshua Ong
- Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jay Chhablani
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Woldetensaye AG, Selander JM, Huang H, Patel PV, Villarreal A, Hesse RA, Greven MA. The Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Presentation, Treatment, and Outcomes in Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion With Cystoid Macular Edema. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023:1-6. [PMID: 37418672 DOI: 10.3928/23258160-20230616-01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of social determinants of health on the presentation, treatment, and outcomes of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) with cystoid macular edema (CME). PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients with BRVO and CME treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) injections at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist from 2013 to 2021. Patients' baseline characteristics including visual acuity (VA), age, sex, race, Area Deprivation Index (ADI), insurance status, baseline central macular thickness (CMT), treatment details, final VA, and final CMT were recorded. The primary outcome measure was final VA comparing more and less deprived groups, and White and non-White groups. RESULTS Two hundred forty-four eyes of 240 patients were included. Patients with higher socioeconomic deprivation scores had thicker final CMT (P = 0.05). Non-White patients had worse presenting (P = 0.01) and final VA (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION This study demonstrated disparities in presentation and outcomes based on socioeconomic status and race in patients with BRVO and CME treated with anti-VEGF therapy. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54:xx-xx.].
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Recchioni A, Makanvand M, Poonit N, Wallace GR, Bartington S, Bloss W, Rauz S. The impact of the first United Kingdom COVID-19 lockdown on environmental air pollution, digital display device use and ocular surface disease symptomatology amongst shielding patients. Sci Rep 2022; 12:20820. [PMID: 36460705 PMCID: PMC9716517 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24650-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Worldwide lockdown reduced air pollution during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. The relationship between exposure to ambient air pollution, digital display device use and dry eye symptoms amongst patients with severe ocular surface disease (OSD) were considered. Symptoms and air pollutant concentrations for three different time periods (pre, during and post COVID-19 lockdown) were analysed in 35 OSD patients who achieved an immunosuppression risk-stratification score > 3 fulfilling the UK Government criteria for 12-week shielding. OSDI symptoms questionnaire, residential postcode air pollution data obtained from the Defra Automated Urban and Rural monitoring network for concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM) with diameters below 10 µm and 2.5 µm, and English Indices of Deprivation were analysed. Significant reductions in NO2 and NOx concentrations were observed between pre- and during-lockdown periods, followed by a reversal in the post-lockdown period. Changes were linked to the Living Environment outdoor decile. A 12% increase (p = 0.381) in symptomatology during-lockdown was observed that reversed post-lockdown by 19% (p = 0.144). OSDI scores were significantly correlated with hours spent on digital devices (r2 = 0.243) but not with air pollutant concentrations. Lockdown measures reduced ambient air pollutants whilst OSD symptomatology persisted. Environmental factors such as increased time indoors and use of bluescreen digital devices may have partly played a role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Recchioni
- grid.6572.60000 0004 1936 7486Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK ,grid.6572.60000 0004 1936 7486Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Dudley Road, Birmingham, UK ,grid.7273.10000 0004 0376 4727Optometry and Vision Sciences Group, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK
| | - Maryam Makanvand
- grid.6572.60000 0004 1936 7486School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Natraj Poonit
- grid.6572.60000 0004 1936 7486Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Dudley Road, Birmingham, UK
| | - Graham R. Wallace
- grid.6572.60000 0004 1936 7486Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Suzanne Bartington
- grid.6572.60000 0004 1936 7486Institute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - William Bloss
- grid.6572.60000 0004 1936 7486School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Saaeha Rauz
- grid.6572.60000 0004 1936 7486Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK ,grid.6572.60000 0004 1936 7486Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Birmingham, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Dudley Road, Birmingham, UK
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Kearney S, Strang NC, Lewsey J, Azuara-Blanco A, Jonuscheit S. Socio-economic differences in accessing NHS spectacles amongst children with differing refractive errors living in Scotland. Eye (Lond) 2022; 36:773-780. [PMID: 33875827 PMCID: PMC8956614 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-021-01536-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Adults living in more deprived areas are less likely to attend an eye examination, resulting in greater visual impairment from undiagnosed eye disease and a widening of health inequalities. It is unknown if the introduction of free NHS eye examinations and help with spectacle costs has benefited children in Scotland. This study aimed to explore factors associated with accessing NHS spectacles including level of deprivation, refractive error, urbanity and age. SUBJECTS/METHODS NHS-financed General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) 3 supplement the cost of spectacles for children under 16 years. Administrative data on the spectacle refraction dispensed were obtained from Information Services Division (ISD) for mainland Scotland, 2018, and categorised by: Emmetropes/low hyperopes (reference group), myopes and moderate/high hyperopes. Data were linked to the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) quintile. RESULTS Data included 108, 043 GOS 3 claims. Greater deprivation was associated with greater GOS 3 claims p = 0.041. This was most evident in emmetropic/low hyperopic children and in moderate/high hyperopic children. GOS 3 claims in the myopes group increased with age across all SIMD and decreased with age in the moderate/high hyperope group (all p < 0.001). GOS 3 claims were not associated with urbanity for all Health Boards (p = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS Children in areas of greater deprivation and in more rural areas are not disadvantaged in accessing NHS spectacles. This did not vary by refractive error group. This suggests that health policy in Scotland is accessible to those from all deprivation levels and refractive errors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Kearney
- grid.5214.20000 0001 0669 8188Department of Vision Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Niall C. Strang
- grid.5214.20000 0001 0669 8188Department of Vision Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jim Lewsey
- grid.8756.c0000 0001 2193 314XInstitute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Augusto Azuara-Blanco
- grid.4777.30000 0004 0374 7521Centre for Public Health, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Sven Jonuscheit
- grid.5214.20000 0001 0669 8188Department of Vision Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK
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Alvarez-Ramos P, Jimenez-Carmona S, Alemany-Marquez P, Cordoba-Doña JA, Aguilar-Diosdado M. Socioeconomic deprivation and development of diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care 2020; 8:e001387. [PMID: 33177040 PMCID: PMC7661358 DOI: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2020-001387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Very little is known about the influence of socioeconomic status on type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) complications. Our aim was to determine whether socioeconomic level is a risk factor for the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with T1DM. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A cohort of 150 patients with T1DM were studied prospectively over 9 years. Socioeconomic status was assessed using a neighborhood-level measure based on an index of deprivation. The contribution of other variables such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetic nephropathy and smoking habit was evaluated. Cox proportional hazards models were used to quantify the associations. RESULTS The incidence of DR was 21.6 cases per 1000 patient-years. Multivariable analyses showed that for each percentage point increase in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), the risk of developing DR increased by 58% (HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.19 to 2.10).Patients with T1DM onset >18 years of age and resident in areas of lower socioeconomic levels presented with almost triple the risk of developing DR (HR 2.95, 95% CI 1.08 to 8.00) compared with those with onset <18 years of age and resident in less deprived areas. We did not find significant relationships with other variables studied such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetic nephropathy and smoking habit. CONCLUSIONS Low socioeconomic level is a risk factor, independent of glycemic control, in the development of DR in patients with T1DM when the onset of diabetes is in adulthood. This finding indicates that socioeconomic status and age of onset need to be considered in population screening for DR in patients with T1DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Alvarez-Ramos
- Ophtalmology Department, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cadiz, Spain
| | - Soledad Jimenez-Carmona
- Ophtalmology Department, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cadiz, Spain
- Surgery Department, Universidad de Cádiz Facultad de Medicina, Cadiz, Spain
- Research Institute of Biomedicine of Cadiz (INiBICA), Cadiz, Spain
| | - Pedro Alemany-Marquez
- Ophtalmology Department, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cadiz, Spain
- Surgery Department, Universidad de Cádiz Facultad de Medicina, Cadiz, Spain
- Research Institute of Biomedicine of Cadiz (INiBICA), Cadiz, Spain
| | - Juan Antonio Cordoba-Doña
- Research Institute of Biomedicine of Cadiz (INiBICA), Cadiz, Spain
- Public Health Department, Hospital Universitario de Jerez de la Frontera, Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
| | - Manuel Aguilar-Diosdado
- Research Institute of Biomedicine of Cadiz (INiBICA), Cadiz, Spain
- Endocrinology and Nutrition Department, Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Universidad de Cadiz, Cadiz, Spain
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Moraes G, Fu DJ, Wilson M, Khalid H, Wagner SK, Korot E, Ferraz D, Faes L, Kelly CJ, Spitz T, Patel PJ, Balaskas K, Keenan TDL, Keane PA, Chopra R. Quantitative Analysis of OCT for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Using Deep Learning. Ophthalmology 2020; 128:693-705. [PMID: 32980396 PMCID: PMC8528155 DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.09.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To apply a deep learning algorithm for automated, objective, and comprehensive quantification of OCT scans to a large real-world dataset of eyes with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and make the raw segmentation output data openly available for further research. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of OCT images from the Moorfields Eye Hospital AMD Database. PARTICIPANTS A total of 2473 first-treated eyes and 493 second-treated eyes that commenced therapy for neovascular AMD between June 2012 and June 2017. METHODS A deep learning algorithm was used to segment all baseline OCT scans. Volumes were calculated for segmented features such as neurosensory retina (NSR), drusen, intraretinal fluid (IRF), subretinal fluid (SRF), subretinal hyperreflective material (SHRM), retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), hyperreflective foci (HRF), fibrovascular pigment epithelium detachment (fvPED), and serous PED (sPED). Analyses included comparisons between first- and second-treated eyes by visual acuity (VA) and race/ethnicity and correlations between volumes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Volumes of segmented features (mm3) and central subfield thickness (CST) (μm). RESULTS In first-treated eyes, the majority had both IRF and SRF (54.7%). First-treated eyes had greater volumes for all segmented tissues, with the exception of drusen, which was greater in second-treated eyes. In first-treated eyes, older age was associated with lower volumes for RPE, SRF, NSR, and sPED; in second-treated eyes, older age was associated with lower volumes of NSR, RPE, sPED, fvPED, and SRF. Eyes from Black individuals had higher SRF, RPE, and serous PED volumes compared with other ethnic groups. Greater volumes of the majority of features were associated with worse VA. CONCLUSIONS We report the results of large-scale automated quantification of a novel range of baseline features in neovascular AMD. Major differences between first- and second-treated eyes, with increasing age, and between ethnicities are highlighted. In the coming years, enhanced, automated OCT segmentation may assist personalization of real-world care and the detection of novel structure-function correlations. These data will be made publicly available for replication and future investigation by the AMD research community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Moraes
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dun Jack Fu
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Hagar Khalid
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Siegfried K Wagner
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Edward Korot
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Ferraz
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom; Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Livia Faes
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Praveen J Patel
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Konstantinos Balaskas
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tiarnan D L Keenan
- Division of Epidemiology and Clinical Applications, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Pearse A Keane
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Reena Chopra
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, United Kingdom; Google Health, London, United Kingdom
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Jalbert I, Rahardjo D, Yashadhana A, Liew G, Gopinath B. A qualitative exploration of Australian eyecare professional perspectives on Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) care. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228858. [PMID: 32045445 PMCID: PMC7012424 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the existence of evidence-based recommendations to decrease risk and progression of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) for some time, self-reported practices suggest that eyecare professionals' advice and people with AMD's adherence to these recommendations can be very poor. This study uses qualitative methods to explore Australian eyecare professionals' perspective on barriers to effective AMD care. Seven focus groups involving 65 optometrists were conducted by an experienced facilitator. A nominal group technique was used to identify, prioritize and semi-quantify barriers and enablers to AMD care. Participants individually ranked their perceived top five barriers and enablers with the most important granted a score of 5 and the least important a score of 1. For each barrier or enabler, the number of votes it received and its total score were recorded. Barriers and enablers selected by at least one participant in their top 5 were then qualitatively analysed, grouped using thematic analysis and total score calculated for each consolidated barrier or enabler. In-depth individual interviews were conducted with 10 ophthalmologists and 2 optometrists. Contributions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed with NVivo software. One hundred and sixty-nine barriers and 51 enablers to AMD care were identified in the focus groups. Of these, 102 barriers and 42 enablers were selected as one of their top 5 by at least one participant and further consolidated into 16 barriers and 10 enablers after thematic analysis. Factors impacting AMD care identified through analysis of the transcripts were coded to three categories of influence: patient-centered, practitioner-centered, and structural factors. Eyecare professionals considered poor care pathways, people with AMD's poor disease understanding / denial, and cost of care / lack of funding, as the most significant barriers to AMD care; they considered shared care model, access, and communication as the most significant enablers to good AMD care. These findings suggest that Australian eyecare professionals perceive that there is a need for improved patient support systems and appropriately funded, clearer care pathway to benefit people with AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Jalbert
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Dian Rahardjo
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Aryati Yashadhana
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Gerald Liew
- Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bamini Gopinath
- Centre for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Wintergerst MWM, Bouws J, Loss J, Heimes B, Pauleikhoff D, Holz FG, Finger RP. [Reasons for delayed and discontinued therapy in age-related macular degeneration]. Ophthalmologe 2019; 115:1035-1041. [PMID: 29138977 DOI: 10.1007/s00347-017-0610-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Critical prerequisites for successful therapy of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD) are an early initiation and continuous monitoring; however, delays in starting therapy and non-medically indicated discontinuation of therapy are frequent, which limits therapy efficacy and, thus, visual outcomes. OBJECTIVE To identify the reasons for delay in therapy and non-medically indicated termination of therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS Patients who had started a new therapy (starters) and those who independently terminated therapy (dropouts) were interviewed by telephone with a specific, standardized questionnaire. Results were summarized descriptively. RESULTS A total of 100 starters and 55 dropouts were interviewed. The mean therapy delay was 22 (±28 SD) days. This was mainly due to the time until the decision to see an ophthalmologist was made. Main reasons for dropping out were: transportation issues (27%), poor general health (25%) and the assumption that there is no benefit from therapy (11%). Of the patients who dropped out 63% would have liked to continue therapy. CONCLUSION There is potential for improvement in nvAMD management regarding therapy start as well as therapy maintenance. Sensitizing for initial nvAMD symptoms is important as is reduction of barriers to therapy maintenance, since most therapy dropouts would like to continue the therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - J Bouws
- AMD-Netz, Münster, Deutschland
| | - J Loss
- Medizinische Soziologie, Institut für Epidemiologie und präventive Medizin, Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Deutschland
| | - B Heimes
- St. Franziskus-Hospital Münster, Münster, Deutschland
| | - D Pauleikhoff
- St. Franziskus-Hospital Münster, Münster, Deutschland
| | - F G Holz
- Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, Bonn, Deutschland
| | - R P Finger
- Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn, Bonn, Deutschland.
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10
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Denniston AK, Lee AY, Lee CS, Crabb DP, Bailey C, Lip PL, Taylor P, Pikoula M, Cook E, Akerele T, Antcliff R, Brand C, Chakravarthy U, Chavan R, Dhingra N, Downey L, Eleftheriadis H, Ghanchi F, Khan R, Kumar V, Lobo A, Lotery A, Menon G, Mukherjee R, Palmer H, Patra S, Paul B, Sim DA, Talks JS, Wilkinson E, Tufail A, Egan CA. United Kingdom Diabetic Retinopathy Electronic Medical Record (UK DR EMR) Users Group: report 4, real-world data on the impact of deprivation on the presentation of diabetic eye disease at hospital services. Br J Ophthalmol 2019; 103:837-843. [PMID: 30269098 PMCID: PMC6582816 DOI: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2018-312568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
AIM To assess the impact of deprivation on diabetic retinopathy presentation and related treatment interventions, as observed within the UK hospital eye service. METHODS This is a multicentre, national diabetic retinopathy database study with anonymised data extraction across 22 centres from an electronic medical record system. The following were the inclusion criteria: all patients with diabetes and a recorded, structured diabetic retinopathy grade. The minimum data set included, for baseline, age and Index of Multiple Deprivation, based on residential postcode; and for all time points, visual acuity, ETDRS grading of retinopathy and maculopathy, and interventions (laser, intravitreal therapies and surgery). The main outcome measures were (1) visual acuity and binocular visual state, and (2) presence of sight-threatening complications and need for early treatment. RESULTS 79 775 patients met the inclusion criteria. Deprivation was associated with later presentation in patients with diabetic eye disease: the OR of being sight-impaired at entry into the hospital eye service (defined as 6/18 to better than 3/60 in the better seeing eye) was 1.29 (95% CI 1.20 to 1.39) for the most deprived decile vs 0.77 (95% CI 0.70 to 0.86) for the least deprived decile; the OR for being severely sight-impaired (3/60 or worse in the better seeing eye) was 1.17 (95% CI 0.90 to 1.55) for the most deprived decile vs 0.88 (95% CI 0.61 to 1.27) for the least deprived decile (reference=fifth decile in all cases). There is also variation in sight-threatening complications at presentation and treatment undertaken: the least deprived deciles had lower chance of having a tractional retinal detachment (OR=0.48 and 0.58 for deciles 9 and 10, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.90 and 0.29 to 1.09, respectively); in terms of accessing treatment, the rate of having a vitrectomy was lowest in the most deprived cohort (OR=0.34, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.58). CONCLUSIONS This large real-world study suggests that first presentation at a hospital eye clinic with visual loss or sight-threatening diabetic eye disease is associated with deprivation. These initial hospital visits represent the first opportunities to receive treatment and to formally engage with support services. Such patients are more likely to be sight-impaired or severely sight-impaired at presentation, and may need additional resources to engage with the hospital eye services over complex treatment schedules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alastair K Denniston
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
- University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Aaron Y Lee
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | | | - Clare Bailey
- University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Peck-Lin Lip
- Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Paul Taylor
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Maria Pikoula
- Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, London, UK
| | - Esther Cook
- East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, Kent, UK
| | - Toks Akerele
- Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust, Hinchingbrooke, UK
| | | | | | | | - Randhir Chavan
- Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Louise Downey
- Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hull, UK
| | | | - Faruque Ghanchi
- Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Bradford, UK
| | - Rehna Khan
- Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, Calderdale, UK
| | - Vineeth Kumar
- Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Wirral, UK
| | - Aires Lobo
- Moorfields Eye Centre at Bedford Hospital, Bedford, UK
| | - Andrew Lotery
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Geeta Menon
- Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Frimley, UK
| | | | - Helen Palmer
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Bobby Paul
- Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Romford, UK
| | - Dawn A Sim
- Moorfields Eye Centre at Croydon University Hospital, London, UK
| | | | | | - Adnan Tufail
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Catherine A Egan
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Moorfields Eye Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
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11
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More P, Almuhtaseb H, Smith D, Fraser S, Lotery AJ. Socio-economic status and outcomes for patients with age-related macular degeneration. Eye (Lond) 2019; 33:1224-1231. [PMID: 30858565 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-019-0393-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore disparities in severity of baseline disease, treatment completion, and treatment outcomes among patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy by socio-economic status (SES) and distance from home to hospital. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. METHODS Data from clinic records of 756 wet AMD patients receiving treatment for wet AMD with aflibercept between May 2013 and Jan 2017 were obtained. Area SES (using Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) 2015) and distance from hospital (dichotomized > = 10 vs. <10 km) were derived from anonymized postcodes. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify associations of area deprivation and distance from hospital at baseline-with visual acuity (VA) at baseline-treatment completion, and treatment outcome. RESULTS Living in the most deprived compared with less deprived areas was associated with a significantly higher risk of presenting with severe reduction in VA (OR = 3.59; 95% CI = 1.39-9.27; P = .01). This association was maintained after adjustment for age, gender, and distance from hospital. On univariate analysis, delayed treatment completion was more likely in those living in most deprived areas (OR = 2.80; 95% CI = 1.21-6.47; P = .04), though this association was attenuated after adjustment for age, gender, and distance from hospital. No association was observed between SES and treatment outcomes or between distance from hospital and baseline VA, treatment completion or treatment outcome. CONCLUSION This study found poorer baseline VA among people with wet AMD from more deprived areas. This work suggests a need for earlier identification of AMD among more deprived populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradnya More
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | | | - Dianna Smith
- Department of Geography, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Simon Fraser
- Academic Unit of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Andrew J Lotery
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
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12
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Multiple deprivation, vision loss, and ophthalmic disease in adults: global perspectives. Surv Ophthalmol 2017; 63:406-436. [PMID: 29100897 DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2017.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 10/19/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The association between socioeconomic position and morbidity and mortality has long been recognized. We evaluate the evidence for an association between multiple aspects of deprivation and ocular health in a global context. This is a systematic review of studies that evaluated deprivation in the adult population in the context of the major acquired causes of visual loss such as cataract, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and ocular trauma. The search strategy identified relevant studies reported between 1946 and August 2016, with randomized control trials, case-control, cohort, and cross-sectional study designs being selected for inclusion. The studies identified in this review from across the world demonstrate the extent to which the common themes such as low educational attainment and low income may be associated with increased incidence of various sight-threatening conditions and may adversely affect access to specialist assessment and delivery of treatment. Health inequality may always persist, but an increased recognition of the importance of the various impacts of deprivation may empower policy makers to target limited resources to the most vulnerable groups in order to deliver the greatest benefit.
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13
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Nguyen V, Daien V, Guymer RH, McAllister IL, Morlet N, Barthelmes D, Gillies MC. Clinical and social characteristics associated with reduced visual acuity at presentation in Australian patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a prospective study from a long-term observational data set. The Fight Retinal Blindness! Project. Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2017; 46:266-274. [PMID: 28842956 DOI: 10.1111/ceo.13038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 08/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Identifying variables that influence presenting visual acuity (VA) in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is important because it is a strong predictor of long-term outcomes. BACKGROUND To assess the clinical and social characteristics associated with low presenting VA in nAMD patients. DESIGN The present study is a cross-sectional analysis from a prospective, observational database. PARTICIPANTS We identified 3242 treatment-naïve patients from 54 Australian practices in the Fight Retinal Blindness! registry. METHODS Age, gender, ethnicity and VA were recorded at the baseline visit. Socio-economic status was determined using the Australian Bureau of Statistics socio-economic indexes for areas. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Association between clinical and socio-economic characteristics with presenting VA was identified. RESULTS Poor VA (≤35 letters) in the presenting eye was associated with older age (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.33 for patients aged ≥80 years vs. <80 years [95% confidence interval, CI: 1.04, 1.71]), treatment at a public practice (AOR: 1.91 for public vs. private practices [95% CI: 1.46, 2.50]) and intermediate (36-69 letters) VA in the fellow eye (AOR: 0.67 [95% CI: 0.47, 0.95] and 0.64 [95% CI: 0.48, 0.85] for poor [≤35 letters] and good [≥70 letters] VA vs. intermediate VA in the fellow eye). Gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status were not independently associated with VA at presentation. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Poor presenting vision is detrimental to the long-term outcomes of nAMD. Poor presentation of nAMD in Australia may not be related to socio-economic circumstances, but due to systems of care. Further research is warranted to determine why patients at public practices present with worse vision compared with private practices in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vuong Nguyen
- The Save Sight Institute, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Vincent Daien
- The Save Sight Institute, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology, Gui De Chauliac Hospital, Montpellier, France.,Inserm, Montpellier, France
| | - Robyn H Guymer
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ian L McAllister
- Lions Eye Institute, Centre for Ophthalmology and Vision Science, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Nigel Morlet
- Department of Population Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Daniel Barthelmes
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mark C Gillies
- The Save Sight Institute, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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14
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Lane M, Mathewson PA, Sharma HE, Palmer H, Shah P, Nightingale P, Tsaloumas MD, Denniston AK. Social deprivation as a risk factor for late presentation of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Clin Ophthalmol 2015; 9:347-52. [PMID: 25733801 PMCID: PMC4337620 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s73272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this study was to determine whether social deprivation is a risk factor for late presentation of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and whether it affects their access to urgent laser treatment. Methods Using a 2:1 case: control design, 102 patients referred to a UK teaching hospital as part of the UK Diabetic Retinopathy National Screening Programme were identified for the period between 1 June 2010 to 1 June 2013. Social deprivation was scored using the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2010. Additional variables considered included age, duration of disease, ethnicity, and HbA1c at time of referral. Results The cases comprised 34 patients referred with proliferative (grade R3) retinopathy with a control group of 68 patients with lower retinopathy grades; two control patients were excluded due to incomplete data. On univariate analysis, R3 retinopathy was associated with higher social deprivation (P<0.001, Mann–Whitney U-test), and with higher HbA1c (11.5% vs 8.4%; P<0.001, Mann–Whitney U-test). Forward stepwise multivariable analysis showed that the association of R3 retinopathy with deprivation was significant even after adjusting for HbA1c (P=0.016). On univariate analysis South Asian ethnicity was also identified as being a risk factor for presentation with R3 retinopathy, but this was no longer significant when HbA1c was adjusted for in a forward stepwise logistic regression analysis. Conclusion In our cohort social deprivation appears to be associated with late presentation of proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Our study supports the need to target these groups to reduce preventable blindness and to identify strategies which overcome barriers to care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Lane
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Priscilla A Mathewson
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Hannah E Sharma
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Helen Palmer
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Peter Shah
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK ; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK ; Centre for Health and Social Care Improvement, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, UK
| | - Peter Nightingale
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK ; Dept of Statistics, Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Facility, Birmingham, UK ; School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Marie D Tsaloumas
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Alastair K Denniston
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK ; Centre for Translational Inflammation Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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