Screening for glaucoma by general medicine residents

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Internal Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
• Early detection through screening is crucial for managing glaucoma.
• Internal medicine residents often lack formal training in ophthalmic screening techniques like tonometry.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and impact of a training program for internal medicine residents on Schiötz tonometry.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of glaucoma screening by general internists.
• To identify barriers to routine glaucoma screening in internal medicine practice.

Main Methods:

• A training program was implemented to teach Schiötz tonometry to internal medicine residents.
• Residents performed tonometry as part of their clinical practice following the training.
• The number of newly diagnosed glaucoma cases was recorded.

Main Results:

• A significant number of previously undiagnosed glaucoma cases were identified.
• Most residents reported confidence in performing tonometry post-training, though technical proficiency varied.
• Despite initial intentions, few residents continued regular glaucoma screening in their practice.

Conclusions:

• Internal medicine residents can be trained in tonometry and identify glaucoma cases.
• Sustained glaucoma screening by general internists necessitates enhanced training and effective role modeling.
• Further strategies are needed to integrate routine glaucoma screening into primary care.