1Dr Sadia Khalid, 2Dr Lutifullah Shaikh,3Umar Tipu, 4Qamar Abbas, 5Dr Jamal Hussain, 6Mansoor Musa
Submission: 24 January 2020 | Acceptance: 17 February 2020 | Publication: 20 March 2020,
1Consultant ophthalmologist eye department, Allied hospital Faisalabad
2Sindh govt hospital Saudabad Malir Karachi
3PIMS Islamabad
4PIMS Islamabad
5Assistant professor ophthalmology swat medical college and swat medical complex.
6UHS Lahore
ABSTRACT:
Background: Access to quality eye care remains a significant challenge in remote and underserved regions, often resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment of preventable ocular conditions. Teleophthalmology, a branch of telemedicine, offers a promising solution to bridge this gap by facilitating remote consultations and timely interventions.
Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the efficacy of teleophthalmology in enhancing access to eye care services and reducing the burden of preventable blindness in remote areas.
Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at Services Hospital, Lahore, over a period of 12 months from May 2018 to April 2019. A total of 90 participants from remote areas with limited access to ophthalmic care were enrolled. Data were collected through teleophthalmology consultations facilitated by trained healthcare workers, with follow-ups and outcomes recorded to assess improvements in access, diagnosis, treatment, and patient satisfaction.
Results: Teleophthalmology significantly improved access to eye care among the study population. Out of the 90 participants, 68 (75.6%) received timely diagnosis and treatment for conditions such as cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and refractive errors. Preventable causes of visual impairment were effectively identified and managed in 72 (80%) cases. Patient satisfaction with teleconsultations was high, with 81 (90%) reporting convenience and improved health-seeking behavior. The referral rate to tertiary care for advanced cases was reduced by 40% compared to traditional outreach methods.
Conclusion: Teleophthalmology proved to be an effective tool in improving access to eye care and significantly reducing the burden of preventable blindness in remote areas. Its implementation can serve as a sustainable and scalable strategy to address disparities in ophthalmic healthcare delivery.
Keywords: Teleophthalmology, Preventable Blindness, Remote Healthcare, Eye Care Access, Telemedicine, Vision Screening, Public Health Intervention.