Conformance with Preferred Practice Patterns in Caring for Patients with Glaucoma

Presents the results of a study conducted at the glaucoma clinic of a Los Angeles County hospital. The clinic evaluates and treats referral patients for advanced glaucoma. The sample included 120 patients with open-angle glaucoma. Data were examined retrospectively to determine if care (performance of specified examination steps at initial visit and at follow-up, and the interval between follow-up visits) conformed to guideline recommendations from the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Conformance with the criteria was generally very high, unlike the situation with corneal ulcers. In particular, obtaining visual fields, gonioscopy, documentation of disc/nerve fiber status, optic nerve head drawing or photograph, and scheduling for follow-up visits within the recommended time occurred at rates of 90 percent or better.