Characterization of the Living Environments of End-Stage Glaucoma Patients and Use of Low-Vision Care Services: A Physician Survey Study

Background: The objective of this study was to obtain ophthalmologists' characterization of their end-stage glaucoma patients and their assessment of key factors that may influence the referral patterns for low-vision care services. Methods: A survey of ophthalmologists in the United States was performed in June 2004 to measure physician demographics and professional activities, patient demographics, disease states and disability, and patient referral by physicians for low-vision care services. Results: The majority of the 100 respondents were male (87%) in private practice (52%) with mean age of 45 years (range = 29–46). Overall, 87% of respondents saw an average of over 150 glaucoma patients per year, diagnosing between 20 and 50 glaucoma patients annually. For patients with glaucoma, surveyed ophthalmologists reported 12% (range = 0–60%) had end-stage glaucoma, of which 30% had diabetes, 16% had retinopathy, and 6% will progress to bilateral blindness. Physicians estimated 60% of end-stage glaucoma pat...