The University of Alabama at Birmingham has announced it is launching a telemedicine glaucoma detection program, according to a news release.
The program is funded by a two-year, $1.9-million grant from CDC. It is primarily aimed at early detection of glaucoma in African-Americans over age 40.
"Our current model of eye care is simply not reaching one of the most at-risk populations for glaucoma: older African-Americans," says Christopher Girkin, MD, chair of UAB's department of ophthalmology and program director of the project, in the release. "Historically, this is an underserved population, who are less likely to seek professional eye-care services in a standard clinical setting. So we're going to see if we can take appropriate vision care to them."
The UAB program will install optical coherence tomography machines in optometrists offices located adjacent to two central Alabama Walmart Vision Centers, with a centralized image reading center housed at UAB.
Related Articles on Ophthalmology:
Ophthalmologist on the Move: Dr. Lawrence Cecchi Joins NY's Crouse Hospital