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. 2021 Feb 1;34(1):61-66.
doi: 10.1097/WCO.0000000000000880.

Telemedicine for neuro-ophthalmology: challenges and opportunities

Yin Allison Liu  1 , Melissa W Ko  2 , Heather E Moss  3
Affiliations

Telemedicine for neuro-ophthalmology: challenges and opportunities

Yin Allison Liu et al. Curr Opin Neurol. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: Telemedicine for neuro-ophthalmology (tele-neuro-ophthalmology) has the potential to increase access to neuro-ophthalmic care by improving efficiency and decreasing the need for long-distance travel for patients. Requirements for decreased person-to-person contacts during the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated adoption of tele-neuro-ophthalmology. This review highlights the challenges and opportunities with tele-neuro-ophthalmology.

Recent findings: Tele-neuro-ophthalmology programs can be used for triage, diagnostic consultation, and long-term treatment monitoring. Formats include telephone appointments, interprofessional collaborations, remote data interpretation, online asynchronous patient communication, and video visits. Barriers to long-term implementation of tele-neuro-ophthalmology arise from data quality, patient engagement, workflow integration, state and federal regulations, and reimbursement. General neurologists may collaborate with local eye care providers for ophthalmic examination, imaging, and testing to facilitate efficient and effective tele-neuro-ophthalmology consultation.

Summary: Tele-neuro-ophthalmology has tremendous potential to improve patient access to high-quality cost-effective neuro-ophthalmic care. However, many factors may impact its long-term sustainability.

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References

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    1. Moss HE, Lai KE, Ko MW. Survey of Telehealth Adoption by Neuro-ophthalmologists During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Benefits, Barriers and Utility. J Neuroophthalmol. 2020. - PMC - PubMed

    2. * This timely survey assesed the uptrend usage of different modalities of telehealth by neuro-ophthalmologist and identified perceived benefits and barriers of tele-neuro-ophthalmology.

    1. Bruce BS, P. What is Telemedicine and How is it Relevant to Neuro-Ophthalmology? ;https://collections.lib.utah.edu/details?id=184431.

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