Secondary Open-Angle Glaucoma : Clinical Guideline for Finnish Optometrists
Feldmann, Kristel (2024)
2024
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024112429716
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024112429716
Tiivistelmä
Background: Secondary open-angle glaucoma (SOAG) poses a unique challenge for optometrists, requiring thorough assessment and management. With current changes in the Finnish healthcare system, optometrists will play a crucial role as primary eye care providers. This role will require high levels of professional competence. The guideline provides a structured approach to help optometrists make informed decisions and offer personalized care to patients.
Purpose: This thesis aimed to create the structure for the evidence-based guidelines for Finnish optometrists on assessing and managing secondary open-angle glaucoma (SOAG). Additionally, it sought to compile a clear and comprehensive information package to support and enhance optometrists' knowledge on the subject.
Methods: This thesis was a literature review content analysis-based innovation project for the Finnish Ethical Board of Optometry (OEN). The research process was conducted as a descriptive study by analyzing the existing evidence-based literature. The comprehensive literature review was conducted mainly in spring 2023 between March and May. An electronic literature search was performed on PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Finna databases. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) were also reviewed using the gray literature sources. The search was limited from the year 2010 to 2023 and only full articles and results in English or Finnish were included. The guidelines that were found and that met the inclusion criteria were further selected for the appraisal based on geographical diversity.
Results: The main result of this thesis is a recommendation of the content for the guideline for Finnish optometrists about SOAG. Based on the analysis of the literature and existing international guidelines the structure of the future national guideline was divided into three parts; patient history, assessment, and management. The assessment part contains both anterior and posterior eye examination as well as imaging/testing methods. Followed by the management where the optometrists play a role in educating the patients about the disease and providing a referral to the ophthalmologist. The second result of this thesis was a literature review providing background information about the SOAG and its subtypes.
Conclusions: In conclusion, the guideline will serve as the backbone of valued and reliable work at optometrists’ practice ensuring quality patient care and providing support for professional development. Therefore a need for the guideline cannot be overstated.
Keywords: secondary open-angle glaucoma, optometry, guidelines, assessment, management
Purpose: This thesis aimed to create the structure for the evidence-based guidelines for Finnish optometrists on assessing and managing secondary open-angle glaucoma (SOAG). Additionally, it sought to compile a clear and comprehensive information package to support and enhance optometrists' knowledge on the subject.
Methods: This thesis was a literature review content analysis-based innovation project for the Finnish Ethical Board of Optometry (OEN). The research process was conducted as a descriptive study by analyzing the existing evidence-based literature. The comprehensive literature review was conducted mainly in spring 2023 between March and May. An electronic literature search was performed on PubMed, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Finna databases. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) were also reviewed using the gray literature sources. The search was limited from the year 2010 to 2023 and only full articles and results in English or Finnish were included. The guidelines that were found and that met the inclusion criteria were further selected for the appraisal based on geographical diversity.
Results: The main result of this thesis is a recommendation of the content for the guideline for Finnish optometrists about SOAG. Based on the analysis of the literature and existing international guidelines the structure of the future national guideline was divided into three parts; patient history, assessment, and management. The assessment part contains both anterior and posterior eye examination as well as imaging/testing methods. Followed by the management where the optometrists play a role in educating the patients about the disease and providing a referral to the ophthalmologist. The second result of this thesis was a literature review providing background information about the SOAG and its subtypes.
Conclusions: In conclusion, the guideline will serve as the backbone of valued and reliable work at optometrists’ practice ensuring quality patient care and providing support for professional development. Therefore a need for the guideline cannot be overstated.
Keywords: secondary open-angle glaucoma, optometry, guidelines, assessment, management