Glaucoma is the second leading cause of irreversible blindness in the United States, yet only 50% of people living with glaucoma are aware that they have it. VA’s Technology Based Eye Care Services (TECS) is working to change that by providing Veterans with greater access to glaucoma screening and care.
Drs. Korey Jaben and Annette Giangiacomo are ophthalmologists and glaucoma specialists in the TECS program at the VISN 7 Clinical Resource Hub located in Atlanta.
“Glaucoma is oftentimes a silent disease,” said Jaben. “Patients often don’t notice vision changes until later on, so glaucoma screenings are highly important.”
Although there is currently no cure for glaucoma, the disease can be treated and managed if found early.
Benefits of TECS for glaucoma care
The TECS Tele-glaucoma program enables Veterans to receive routine eye appointments and specialized appointments from their community-based outpatient clinic rather than having to travel long distances to the main VA facility to see the specialist in person.
During a TECS tele-glaucoma visit, a technician will gather information for an eye exam including tests such as vision, glasses refraction, pupil exam, eye pressure and ocular imaging of the front of the eye and back of the eye, as well as other imaging that is available in most other face-to-face eye clinics at a VA facility. The clinical information is then shared with a remote eye care specialist for analysis.
“We have many of the same imaging capabilities to diagnose and manage Veterans as they would experience in a comprehensive, face-to-face eye appointment,” Jaben said.
As glaucoma specialists, Jaben and Giangiacomo review the Veteran’s clinical information for warning signs of glaucoma. They analyze optical measurements and compare the data with previous eye exam results. They then contact the Veteran via phone to discuss the findings.
“We’re able to follow up with Veterans over the phone or video chat through VA Video Connect and answer any questions they have,” said Giangiacomo. “TECS is extremely convenient for Veterans who don’t want to drive in for an eye exam.”
Future of glaucoma eye care
The VISN 7 Clinical Resource Hub TECS division has recently launched a virtual coaching program for Veterans with glaucoma who require additional care to be compliant with their glaucoma drops. The Glaucoma Medication Adherence Coaching (GMAC) program, spearheaded by Jaben, is conducted virtually via video allowing Veterans to work directly with a glaucoma provider to engage in their own care and improve their long-term glaucoma outcomes without traveling for an in-person appointment.
“You have to keep the Veteran in mind always. The patient satisfaction reported for TECS has been highly encouraging, so we think this new program will be well received,” Giangiacomo added.
The number of Americans with glaucoma is expected to double by 2050, so it’s more important than ever to be proactive about eye health.
To learn more about VA TeleEye Care Services, visit the VA Telehealth Services website.
Topics in this story
More Stories
VA marks Older Americans Month as we celebrate their contributions and recommit to serving older Veterans.
Carrie Hawkins has earned Excellence in Nursing recognition, the 3rd consecutive year a Bay Pines VA leader has won.
Vietnam War Commemoration and Navy Week program welcomed home hundreds of Texas Veterans with week-long commemorative
IF this method ,Tele -Glaucoma, is available to serve ALL Veterans. Does Syracuse VA Hospital ,Syracuse,NY., Eye clinic have access for ALL Veterans with eye problems. If NOT what does a Permanently/Totally Veteran do to get the BEST solution to possibly ward off total blindness. With NO Cure for the Glaucoma disease it can be TREATED and MANAGED with proper screening. The screening can be accomplished without the approx. 140 mile ,round trip, 4hr driving sometimes thru Lake Effect system highways. Joey and the crew say the price of gas is comming down. POLITICS as usual forrunning the 2024 Election. thankyou and don’t forget to VOTE.