News - Centre For Eye Health

Diabetics, in our sight

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:57:40 -1100

Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic disease in Australia. Around 275 people develop the disease every day. Whilst nearly one million Australians are currently diagnosed, it is estimated that another 1.2 million are living with the disease but don’t know it yet.

All of these people are at-risk of vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy (DR), a serious ocular condition which can occur regardless of the type of diabetes, age or blood glucose levels.

Optometrists are now expected to identify and manage patients with early DR, although this can be challenging because patients can be asymptomatic, with good visual acuity.

Advanced imaging techniques, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), are increasingly being utilised to ensure the earliest possible detection and to monitor changes over time.

Unfortunately, however, such state-of-the-art instrumentation is not accessible for many people in our community, who can suffer irreversible vision loss because of delays in diagnosis and intervention.

CFEH is here to assist in such cases, providing advanced imaging and assessment, at no-charge. The additional information helps to appropriately triage patients, and establishes a baseline to monitor changes over time. The patient does not incur unnecessary fees, but can be referred to a specialist if and when it is required.

We encourage all optometrists to offer appropriate patients a referral to CFEH.

Typical referrers: why they rely on CFEH

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:54:52 -1100

CFEH has surveyed optometrists to gain a better understanding of the frontline battle against eye disease. In order to identify opportunities to improve outcomes for people at-risk of losing sight, we asked a range of questions, to understand what type of practitioner typically utilises the services of CFEH.

We were told that our typical referrers:

Are fulltime practitioners (68%) without therapeutic qualifications (76%);
Have been practising optometrists for between 11 and 30 years (72%);
Work in a full-scope independent practice (73%) with 16% in a corporate practice;
Are located throughout NSW, with the majority from central Sydney (28%), Regional NSW and the ACT (27%) or Western Sydney (20%).

When interviewed, our regular referrers told us that they see CFEH as an extension to their practice, enabling them to offer their patients a more complete service when required. Often working in disadvantaged communities, optometrists have told us how relieved their patients are when they don’t have to pay for expensive imaging. According to one Wentworthville optometrist “I send someone to CFEH if I’m not sure whether to refer them to an eye doctor. A couple of people who I have referred straight to an ophthalmologist in the past have come back to me to say there was no need for them to see (and pay for) the specialist.”

Available clinical equipment was also assessed in the survey, with 76% of respondents having access to general ocular instruments, the most popular being the fundus camera (69%), the slitlamp camera (29%) and pachymeter (29%). Visual field equipment was available to 86% of respondents, including access to a white-on-white machine (52%), FDT Matrix (24%) and/or an FDT machine (8%).

CFEH recognises the critical role that optometrists play in helping people to ensure early detection , and provide the optometry profession with access to clinical expertise, sophisticated technology and continuing professional development (CPD) to help them better care for their patients. According to CFEH Director, Professor Michael Kalloniatis “By investing in optometrists, we are ultimately investing in the long-term outcome for people at risk of eye disease”.

Measuring Impact, Two Years On

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:48:25 -1100

Two years on, Centre for Eye Health is making huge strides towards achieving its ultimate goal of preventing vision loss through the provision of advanced imaging and assessment at no charge to the general community.

Close to 7,500 people have been assessed at the Centre, with more than 44,000 individual tests performed to-date. Currently each day the Centre assesses an average of 25 people at-risk of losing vision unnecessarily, with approximately 15% of these people being recommended for on-referral to an ophthalmologist.

Although the initial demand was largely from the optometric profession, over the past 12 months ophthalmologists have not only increased their registrations with the Centre, but they have also been responsible for the largest relative increase in referrals. Currently 11% of referrals come from ophthalmologists who represent just 6% of registered practitioners.

According to Professor Michael Kalloniatis, Centre Director, “CFEH is having impact on more than one level. Not only are we making a difference to the quality of life for people who are at-risk of losing sight unnecessarily to eye disease, but we are leveraging the substantial data collected over the past two years to identify better ways of managing glaucoma. We are also working solidly to develop the profession of optometry through our ongoing education events and newsletters as well as by giving fifth year optometry students the opportunity to be involved in our clinical rotation program.”

Client feedback reflects the high calibre of service provided by the team at CFEH. In the words of one recent visitor to the Centre: “I was pleased to be referred to such a professional place... Guide Dogs and UNSW working hand in hand for this great patient-focused centre.”

Give the gift of foresight

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -1100

As part of our efforts to raise public awareness of the importance of early detection, CFEH has again sent all clients who attended the Centre this year a festive season reminder to talk with family and friends about the risk factors for eye disease.

The presentation highlights some of the lesser known facts about eye disease in Australia, and encourages those at-risk to visit their optometrist or ophthalmologist for an assessment.

Visit www.cfeh.com.au/yourgift to view the full presentation.

Register now for full-day SCOPE event in January 2012

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -1100

‘Inter-Relationship of Structure and Function in Glaucoma Diagnosis’

OPTOMETRISTS REGISTER NOW: Full day SCOPE event, Sunday 29th January.

International and Australian Experts
Lectures and Grand Rounds
11* CPD Points

The Centre for Eye Health (CFEH) is pleased to announce a full day SCOPE event to be held on Sunday January 29th, 2012. The day will include lectures and interactive grand rounds focused on the ‘Inter-relationship of Structure and Function in the Diagnosis of Glaucoma.’

Along with CFEH Director Professor Michael Kalloniatis, and Principal Optometrist Paula Katalinic, presentations will be made by the following leading experts:

Professor Ron Harwerth, John and Rebecca Moores Professor of Optometry, University of Houston
Professor Paul Healy, Director of Glaucoma Research, Centre for Vision Research, Westmead Millennium Institute, University of Sydney
Dr. Ashish Agar, Senior Lecturer, Department of Opthalmology, University of New South Wales and Glaucoma Specialist, Prince of Wales & Sydney Eye Hospital.

The day is an opportunity to better understand research on the links between structure and function of glaucoma diagnosis, to gain valuable insights from leading specialists, and to review NHMRC guidelines for screening, diagnosing and managing patients with glaucoma.

To register please click here for our all day January event. Please note all bookings must be made via the Eventbrite website.

CFEH, the site of a $1.1M NHMRC Partnership Grant

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:00:00 -1100

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) and Guide Dogs NSW/ACT (Guide Dogs) are two partners in a successful National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) partnership project. The award of $1.1 million will fund research over five years at the Centre for Eye Health (CFEH).

Officially launched in November 2009, CFEH is a joint initiative by Guide Dogs and UNSW to prevent vision loss through the early detection and monitoring of eye disease. The Centre promotes a ‘shared care’ model of eye care, and has provided advanced eye imaging and visual assessment for close to 7,000 people at no-charge thanks to the generosity of Guide Dogs and its supporters.

Various Australian models for managing glaucoma have been proposed, but their effectiveness has been largely unexplored. Using CFEH referral information and clinical data, this research project will determine current glaucoma practices, effectiveness in clinical diagnosis, referral quality, appropriate utilisation of new technologies and integration with complementary facilities and services.

The project involves a multi-disciplinary team of experts from optometry, ophthalmology, visual science and public health, and will utimately lead to more cohesive patient management, with an improvement in the quality of life for patients and a reduction of the the economic burden of eye disease nationally.

According to chief investigator and Centre Director Professor Michael Kalloniatis, “The NHMRC Glaucoma Guidelines highlight the need for appropriate and timely referral of patients at risk of developing glaucoma. In Australia, the primary eye-care provider is usually an optometrist, so this profession is well-placed to minimise the overloading of the health system – especially now they have access to the additional imaging and clinical expertise available at CFEH.”

According to CFEH and Guide Dogs chairperson Barry Stephen, “This grant will enable the broader health community to benefit from the knowledge generated through the Centre’s clinic. Most importantly, it will mean a better outcome for more people in NSW and the ACT.”

The NHMRC Partnerships for Better Health initiative awarded a total of $9.8 million to 13 partnership projects throughoutAustralia. The $1.1 million funding for this research project is the fourth largest partnership project grant, and will be administered by UNSW.

Clients and Referrers Rate CFEH Highly

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -1100

Centre for Eye Health (CFEH) recently conducted two surveys in order to see what optometrists and people assessed at the Centre thought of our service.

Findings from a survey of 312 optometrists who regularly refer clients at-risk or suspected of eye disease for advanced imaging, showed that the vast majority agreed that CFEH:

• is a useful resource;
• is responsive to individual needs; and
• provides high quality reports that are easy to understand.

In a separate survey of 650 clients, satisfaction was exceptionally high with 80% rating the service as excellent and an additional 17% as above average.

This survey also revealed that following their consultation at CFEH:

• 15% were diagnosed with an eye disease;
• 19% were on-referred to another health-care practitioner;
• 42% required a follow-up examination to monitor any changes of concern;
• 9% had commenced treatment.

For many of these people, assessment at CFEH has allowed them to commence treatment sooner than they may otherwise have, therefore improving their chance of preserving vision.

Importantly, more than 70% of clients assessed at CFEH live outside of inner Sydney, proving that people are willing to travel to access the best in diagnostic services, particularly when provided at no charge.

According to one client who responded to the survey "Your staff combined absolutely professional behaviour with kindness and courtesy, from the time of my first phone call to make the appointment through to the time of my departure."

SCOPE Calendar 2011/2012

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -1100

Based on feedback, we have developed a tailored CPD program designed to enable better use of advanced ocular imaging to benefit both patients and optometric practices.

Each SCOPE session will provide practical information and training on how to interpret results from frequently requested tests available at CFEH.

The calendar of events (including date, topic and CPD points) is available on the events page of the Centre’s website. Here, you can register online and read more.

Forging Community Partnerships

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -1100

The Centre for Eye Health model is founded upon working together with ocular health professionals and community organisations in order to bring about better outcomes for ordinary Australians with early stage eye disease.

In recent months we have supported the Macular Degeneration Foundation and Diabetes Australia in their campaigns to raise awareness of the importance of early detection in preserving vision which is at risk due to eye disease.

During Macular Degeneration (MD) Awareness Week (22-28 May), CFEH delivered a targeted campaign to registered optometrists, reinforcing how they can help reduce the impact of MD on the Australian community. Through CFEH, optometrists have access to the technology and clinical expertise needed to assess patients who are deemed at-risk of developing MD (based on family history or lifestyle factors) or are suspected of early MD (based on their own clinical findings). Many of these at-risk or suspect patients cannot afford to wait for advanced imaging, or may not be able to afford to pay for private diagnostic services.

MD is the second most detected eye disease at CFEH, accounting for 23% of confirmed diagnoses, and macula assessments represent 33% of referrals. It is responsible for 48% of severe vision loss in Australia and is the leading cause of blindness, affecting one in seven people over the age of 50. Those with family history have a 50% chance of developing the disease, and smokers are three times more likely.

As a part of Diabetes Awareness Week (10-16 July) diabetics registered with the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) were invited to book in for a free retinal screening, delivered across a range of Sydney metropolitan locations over the week. In conjunction with the NSW branch of the Optometrists Association of Australia (OAA), optometrists contributed their own time to assess and help explain to people already diagnosed with diabetes how important it is for them to regularly have their eyes checked for diabetes-related eye disease.

Paula Katalinic, a principal optometrist at Centre for Eye Health, was one such optometrist who volunteered for the program. Working from Fairfield RSL on Tuesday, around 150 people turned up during the course of the day for the free retinal imaging.

“We identified a number of serious eye conditions” says Katalinic “but what was most concerning was that many people with diabetes simply do not realise that Medicare will cover dilated eye examinations with an optometrist. Many people are not having their eyes examined as they are unaware of this Medicare rebate”.

“In one case” says Katalinic “I saw a 43 year old mother of three, who didn’t realise the importance of visiting her optometrist regularly. We identified clinically significant macular oedema in both eyes. She needs ophthalmological care quite urgently.”

In another case, a 50-year-old Vietnamese man who had never had an eye examination in his life was assessed. As a recent immigrant, he was under the care of a local GP for diabetes and high blood pressure. Despite having no symptoms, a branch retinal vein occlusion was identified, and he was informed that this condition requires urgent ophthalmological care in order to prevent vision loss.

CFEH Director Professor Michael Kalloniatis told optometrists “We encourage you to ensure that your diabetic patients know of the relevant Medicare rebates available. Only through monitoring and early detection can we prevent vision loss as a result of diabetes-related eye disease”.

Ophthalmologist Tops Referrals

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:00:00 -1100

Centre for Eye Health (CFEH) has reached 7,000 referrals for advanced imaging, marking another milestone since opening its doors to the public less than two years ago.

Almost 500 of these referrals have come from Dr Ong, an ophthalmologist who refers patients less able to afford, or otherwise access, advanced ocular imaging. According to Dr Ong “CFEH provides an excellent service with regards to investigations that require expensive equipment. Patients appreciate the service provided, especially those who cannot afford tests that are not Medicare rebatable.

“Some tests require equipment that is rarely used” he says.“CFEH makes it easy for the ophthalmologist to access these rarely used tests. It means that I do not have to purchase and maintain equipment that is not often used. It helps reduce the cost of running an ophthalmic practice, and hence reduces the costs that need to be passed on to patients."

According to Centre Director Michael Kalloniatis, there has been an increase in the number of ophthalmologists utilising the services of the Centre. “Despite some initial uncertainty about how CFEH would contribute to ophthalmology practices, a growing number of ophthalmologists are embracing CFEH’s extensive range of tests that are available at no charge” says Professor Kalloniatis.“They tell me that it also improves their patient care, because they have more time for consultation and treatment.

“For optometrists, who provide 75% of primary eye care in our community, the value of CFEH was more obvious and they were quick to make regular use of the services available at the Centre. In fact, many have come to see the Centre as an extension to their own practice."

John Boulos is one such optometrist. “What is critical for me is that my patients have accessible care” he says. “These people are mostly pensioners, so there are cost and access issues. CFEH gives my patients a comprehensive assessment, so that I can make a more informed decision about whether to keep monitoring or refer the patient for specialist care. My patients come back saying how fantastic the service was that they received, and it’s actually become a source of other referrals to my own practice”.