Authors' recommendations: The majority of the included studies focused on DR. All the clinical studies examined diagnostic accuracy or access to care, but there is currently no evidence for the effect of tele-ophthalmology on clinically relevant outcomes such as the potential reduction in vision loss. Based on the evidence identified, tele-ophthalmology appears to have acceptable diagnostic accuracy as a screening tool for detecting DR and AMD. Evidence from economic evaluations indicates that tele-ophthalmology may be a cost-effective option, especially for patients in remote or rural settings. Tele-ophthalmology also increases access to eye care specialists as majority of patients feel it is more convenient for them to take a teleophthalmologic exam instead of a face-to-face visit with an ophthalmologist. There is also evidence that tele-ophthalmology leads to enhanced adherence to follow-up exams required for DR or other eye conditions. Further well-designed clinical and economic studies are warranted to provide more compelling evidence to estimate effectiveness and utilization for patients with eye diseases in various clinical settings.

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.cadth.ca/media/pdf/htis/L0055%20Tele-opthalmology%20for%20Eye%20Diseases%20final.pdf

Year Published: 2008

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health

Contact Address: 600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553; Fax: +1 613 226 5392;

Contact Name: requests@cadth.ca

Contact Email: requests@cadth.ca

Copyright: Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health (CADTH)