02 Jun USPSTF: Glaucoma Screening Recommendation Statement
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Donahue
Katrina Donahue, M.D., M.P.H.
Professor and vice chair of research
Department of Family Medicine
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Dr. Donohue is a family physician and senior research fellow
Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research
Dr. Donahue joined the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in January 2020.
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Impaired vision and glaucoma are serious and common conditions facing millions of people nationwide that can affect a person’s independence and quality of life. These recommendations looked at how primary care clinicians can help people who have not noticed any problems with their vision. Unfortunately, there is not enough evidence available to make a recommendation for or against screening adults for glaucoma or older adults for impaired vision in the primary care setting.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: Not all adults see an eye care professional, but many regularly see their primary care clinician. When reviewing the evidence on screening for glaucoma and visual impairment, we wanted to see if there was an opportunity for primary care clinicians to play a greater role in helping to prevent vision loss. While the research was not clear on whether or not it’s valuable to screen for these conditions in people who haven’t noticed any vision problems, anyone who is concerned about their vision should talk to their clinician so that they can get the care they need.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?
Response: We’re calling for more research on how best to address vision issues in people who have not reported concerns with their vision. Specifically, we hope to see research on the best way that primary care clinicians can help identify vision issues early and improve their patients’ vision-related function and quality of life.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Response: We need more research to fully evaluate the benefits and harms of screening for glaucoma and impaired vision among patients who aren’t currently experiencing issues with their vision. People who are having problems with their vision should talk to their healthcare professional so that they can get the care they need. These recommendations are consistent with the Task Force’s 2013 recommendation on screening for glaucoma in adults and its 2016 recommendation on screening for impaired visual acuity in older adults.
Citations:
1: Jin J. Screening for Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma. JAMA. 2022;327(20):2030. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.7531
2: US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. JAMA. 2022;327(20):1992–1997. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.7013
3: Jin J. Screening for Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma. JAMA. 2022;327(20):2030. doi:10.1001/jama.2022.7531
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Last Updated on June 2, 2022 by Marie Benz MD FAAD