Glaucoma public service announcements: factors associated with follow-up of participants with risk factors for glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of follow-up and factors associated with completing an eye examination after a glaucoma public service announcement.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional observational study.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals who participated in the Glaucoma EyeCare Program by calling a toll-free telephone number and receiving referral by meeting inclusion criteria.

METHODS

The Glaucoma EyeCare Program uses public service announcements to encourage those at increased risk for glaucoma to obtain an eye examination. The program requires interested persons to dial a toll-free telephone number to collect demographic, medical, and socioeconomic information, and refers those at higher risk of glaucoma to an ophthalmologist for a free eye examination. The ophthalmologist completes an outcome form, which indicates whether the participant obtained an eye examination and the results of this eye examination. We determined the factors associated with obtaining an eye examination.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sociodemographic characteristics associated with obtaining an eye examination after referral through the Glaucoma EyeCare Program.

RESULTS

Ophthalmologists returned outcome forms for 1514 of 6343 participants (24%). Of those with outcome forms, 671 (44.3%) had an eye examination, 756 (49.9%) did not make an appointment, and 87 (5.7%) made an appointment but did not complete the examination. A multivariate logistic regression model showed younger age, female gender, lack of health insurance, medical history of diabetes, and shorter distance to be associated with obtaining an eye examination.

CONCLUSIONS

Public service announcements encourage participants to have an eye examination. Multiple factors alter the success of obtaining an eye examination. Future studies are needed regarding the best method of decreasing the risk of undiagnosed glaucoma.