Detection of Eye Diseases and Referral Rates for In-Office Eye Care Across Three SIGHT Studies

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health
• Telemedicine

Background:

• Underserved populations often face barriers to regular eye care.
• Early detection of eye diseases like glaucoma is crucial for preventing vision loss.
• Telehealth offers a promising approach to extend eye health services into communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine eye disease detection and referral rates for in-office eye care.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Screening and Intervention for Glaucoma and eye Health through Telemedicine (SIGHT) Studies.
• To report findings from SIGHT studies across Alabama, Michigan, and New York City.

Main Methods:

• Included individuals aged 40+ screened in community settings (federally qualified health centers, free clinics, affordable housing).
• Conducted visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and fundus photography.
• Utilized t-tests and chi-square/Fisher's exact tests to compare referred vs. non-referred groups.

Main Results:

• Referral rates for in-office eye care were 47.3% (AL-SIGHT), 42.8% (MI-SIGHT), and 66.1% (NYC-SIGHT).
• Glaucoma and glaucoma suspect detection rates ranged from 18.6% to 26.7% across sites.
• Referred individuals were more likely to be Black, have lower education, be uninsured/Medicare, or have comorbidities like diabetes or hypertension.

Conclusions:

• The SIGHT Studies demonstrate the success of community-based telehealth screenings in identifying eye diseases.
• High detection and referral rates indicate the value of these programs for underserved, high-risk individuals.
• Telehealth eye care in trusted settings effectively connects patients to necessary in-office follow-up.