Glaucoomscreening via optiekbedrijven: eerst evalueren

Recently the yield of detecting glaucoma by means of measurement of the intraocular pressure and frequency doubling technology (FDT) perimetry was investigated among clients who visit an optician. The investigators calculated the specificity which influences the cost of this screening program for glaucoma as well as the workload for the ophthalmologist. They showed that by changing the cut-off point for the perimetric criteria, the yield of new detected glaucoma patients remains the same but the number of referred cases is reduced. Although this is an epidemiologic study, its importance is the evaluation of a screening conducted with new technology by those who are not primarily involved in the care of patients or public health. New health care technologies used in new settings may give opportunities for the early detection of diseases but should not be conducted without prior considerations concerning the criteria for screening and without a proper evaluation.

Conflict of interest: Dr. J.S.A.G. Schouten received support for conference travel and accommodation from Alcon, MSD and Abbott during the past 5 years. Financial support for this article: none declared.