Establishing Expert Consensus on a Unified Decision Framework for Retina Patient Care

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Healthcare Management
• Clinical Decision Support

Background:

• The global burden of retinal diseases is substantial and growing.
• Existing national guidelines for retina care vary, necessitating a unified approach.
• Healthcare professionals face capacity challenges in delivering optimal retina care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the development of a unified decision framework for retina care.
• To establish consensus among retina care experts on key principles and criteria.
• To provide recommendations for implementing a standardized framework.

Main Methods:

• Modified Delphi methodology utilized with expert ophthalmologists.
• Steering committee meeting and an online survey with a 4-point Likert scale.
• Consensus threshold set at 75%, with anonymous responses and independent analysis.

Main Results:

• 188 responses received from six global regions.
• High consensus (≥75%) achieved on 27 statements across three topics: access, principles, and benchmarking.
• Subgroup analysis identified a knowledge gap regarding OCT scans before intravitreal injections among less experienced clinicians.

Conclusions:

• Retina care experts strongly support the development of a unified decision framework.
• The consensus recommendations will guide the creation and implementation of this framework.
• The framework has the potential to enhance efficiency and standardize high-quality retina care globally.