Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #108446

Gina M. Wesley, College of Optometry, Ohio State University, 320 W. 10th Ave, Columbus, OH 43210, (614) 832-6057, goneill@optometry.osu.edu and Kelly Nichols, OD, MS, MPH, The Ohio State University, 320 W. 10th Ave, Columbus, OH 43218.

Purpose: Glaucoma is a major public health problem in the United States, causing significant suffering, disability, loss of productivity, and diminished quality of life for millions of people. Blindness from glaucoma is believed to impose significant costs annually on the federal government in Social Security benefits, lost tax revenues, and health care expenditures (www.healthypeople.gov). The following project, Seeing the Future, involves the Healthy People 2010 objective of preventing vision loss due to glaucoma, and focuses on our community of optometrists to effectively diminish glaucomatous vision loss. Methods: The goals of Seeing the Future are as follows: to evaluate current glaucoma treatment standards of Ohio Optometric Association member doctors, to conclude what practice methodologies are “best practice” standards via survey and chart audit, and to develop two effective glaucoma management “tools” (e.g. in-office poster, “best practice” pamphlet) using focus groups. Results: A glaucoma survey was administered to 500 OOA member doctors and over 200 have been returned. Information from the surveys has been used to develop focus group materials. Focus group outcomes will be presented. Conclusions: The application and assimilation of information from this project will aid in the prevention of vision loss through education and empowerment of optometrists in the management of glaucoma. As a result of learning the outcomes of Seeing the Future, practitioners will be well-prepared to effectively manage glaucoma patients and use best practice techniques to preserve vision.

Learning Objectives: