[A screening questionnaire for determining risk of Creuzfeldt-Jacob disease transmission during ophthalmic examination].

INTRODUCTION

The risk of prion transmission during an ophthalmic examination concerns all ophthalmologists screening patients at risk, a procedure normally based on collecting past history and clinical data.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

The authors proposed a shortened version of a questionnaire where the patient provides only the past history by answering three questions, which are then validated by the ophthalmologist.

RESULTS

This procedure was proposed to 500 patients. Only five patients answered one of the questions positively, and the ophthalmologist did not use any contact device during their examination. Of these five patients, none was confirmed to be at risk for prion transmission.

CONCLUSION

This questionnaire seems to be a suitable way to compensate the lack of time and reduced staff in ophthalmology, whatever the ophthalmic practice may be.