Abstract

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of tele-ophthalmologist (TO), vision centre technician (VCT) in patients with posterior segment disease (PSD)
Methods: 350 patients attended the 10 Vision Centres suspected to have any PSD by TO & VCT were recruited and referred to Base hospital (BH). TO, VCT diagnoses was compared with BH diagnoses and level of agreement were analysed. We assessed the barriers in uptake of service among the non-compliant patients.
Result: The overall full agreement of TO and VCT with the BH diagnoses was 60.9% and 54.6%. High percentage of full agreement was seen in glaucoma diagnoses (TO–76.7%, VCT–76.7%) followed by neuro-ophthalmology (TO–76%, VCT–72%) and retinal diagnoses (TO–68.5%, VCT–58.9%). Major barriers for non-compliance include poor awareness about the disease, lack of an accompanying person and financial constraints.
Conclusion: Tele-ophthalmology provide a very good support in screening and referring the patients with posterior segment disease.