Tele-ophthalmology as an effective triaging tool for acute ophthalmic concerns

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Telemedicine
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid adoption of remote healthcare solutions.
• Telemedicine emerged as a critical tool for managing acute conditions while minimizing exposure.
• Ophthalmology faced unique challenges in delivering timely care for urgent eye issues during public health crises.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the demographics and utilization patterns of a synchronous tele-ophthalmology program.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of on-demand virtual triage for acute ophthalmic concerns.
• To understand the role of telemedicine in eye care during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

Main Methods:

• A single-center retrospective chart review was conducted.
• Data from 7138 telehealth encounters involving 6227 patients were analyzed.
• Descriptive statistics were used to categorize patient demographics, diagnoses, and utilization trends from October 2020 to April 2023.

Main Results:

• Telemedicine platform utilization increased throughout the study period.
• The majority of patients were female (63.27%), White (72.7%), and new to the institution (63.4%).
• Common diagnoses included external adnexa issues (44.1%), conjunctival disorders (15.5%), and ocular surface symptoms (15.4%).
• 96.5% of virtual encounters were successfully completed via video conferencing.

Conclusions:

• On-demand synchronous tele-ophthalmology proved highly utilized for acute eye conditions during the pandemic.
• The program effectively triaged patients and provided virtual eye care.
• Telemedicine is a valuable tool for managing ophthalmic emergencies and ensuring continuity of care.