Improving Patient Access and Reducing Costs for Glaucoma with Integrated Hospital and Community Care: A Case Study from Australia

摘要

Glaucoma, a chronic eye disease requires regular monitoring and treatment to prevent vision-loss. In Australia, most public ophthalmology departments are overburdened. Community Eye Care is a ‘collaborative’ care model, involving community-based optometrist assessment and ‘virtual review’ by ophthalmologists to manage low-risk patients. C-EYE-C was implemented at one Australian hospital. This study aims to determine whether C-EYE-C improves access to care and better utilises resources, compared to hospital-based care.