Performance of a Glaucoma Screening Program Compared With Opportunistic Detection in China.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health
• Screening Programs

Background:

• Glaucoma screening is crucial for preventing vision loss.
• Opportunistic screening models are needed for early glaucoma detection.
• Health examination centers offer a potential venue for widespread screening.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of health examination center-based glaucoma screening in China.
• To compare the stage of glaucoma detection between screening and outpatient settings.
• To identify early-stage glaucoma, particularly normal-tension glaucoma.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study comparing 76 screening-detected glaucoma patients with 272 outpatient cases.
• Data collected included demographics, visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and visual field parameters (MD, PSD).
• Comparison of clinical characteristics between screening-detected and outpatient glaucoma cases.

Main Results:

• Screening-detected glaucoma patients had significantly lower IOP (18.3 mmHg vs. 26.7 mmHg) and less visual impairment (6.6% vs. 38.6%).
• A higher proportion of screening-detected cases were primary open-angle glaucoma (98.7% vs. 44.1%).
• Screening identified patients with less severe visual field defects (MD: -4.4 dB vs. -16.5 dB).

Conclusions:

• Health examination center-based screening is effective for early glaucoma detection.
• This screening model supplements opportunistic detection and identifies normal-tension glaucoma.
• The program successfully identifies glaucoma at an earlier stage than traditional outpatient care.