Enhancing the Patient Journey: Solutions to Overcoming Challenges in Glaucoma Management
Glaucoma specialists worldwide face numerous challenges daily, from early detection to accurate diagnosis and ongoing patient management. The Heidelberg Engineering Glaucoma Workflow Solution is designed to provide the tools you need to deliver the best care to your patients. It offers dynamic visualization of parameters, efficient data management, precise imaging, and robust monitoring capabilities. Find out how glaucoma experts around the world are leveraging these advanced technologies to enhance the patient journey, increase diagnostic confidence, streamline workflows, and improve patient outcomes.
Early Detection and Screening
“It was a surprise as I didn’t feel my vision had been hindered in any way. At that point, I didn’t know that glaucoma was rampant in my family on both my mother’s and father’s sides. When I shared the news of my glaucoma with my late mother, she did not miss a beat, replying, ‘Oh honey, your father and I have had glaucoma for years’. To which I could only say, ‘Really Mom, maybe you and Dad could’ve mentioned that […] like 20 years earlier.” PHILLIP VAN LEAR, diagnosed at 48 Read Phillip's full story here
One of the most significant challenges in glaucoma management is detecting the disease early, as it often progresses without symptoms. “Early glaucoma has no symptoms,” explains Christian Mardin, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, Erlangen, Germany. “Every person over 40 should go to their optometrist or ophthalmologist to get their optic nerve head checked.” Continue reading Prof. Mardin’s insights on early glaucoma detection here.
The electronic medical record platform HEYEX EMR helps streamline this process by managing and presenting comprehensive ophthalmic patient records through an intuitive interface. It provides access to high-quality, structured data, aiding in efficient reporting and auditing. Dr. Hackl of Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, recalls how HEYEX EMR helped the hospital streamline their workflow and allowed access to patient records in over five locations.
“There was a need to have a paperless medical record which could be seen in all five locations and met our main requirements: a continuous medical record, a patient summary for quick overview, as well as planning and documentation…when a system like HEYEX EMR supports structured data the possibilities to use the data are unlimited. Read the full story on how Hanusch Hospital, Vienna, used HEYEX EMR to streamline their workflow.
As early detection becomes more efficient, the next step is ensuring accurate diagnosis, where the SPECTRALIS® platform plays a crucial role. The Glaucoma Module Premium Edition (GMPE) provides detailed imaging and analytics of the optic nerve head and retinal nerve fiber layer. Using the Anatomic Positioning System (APS) ensures an accurate anatomical setup for optimal comparison with the normative reference database. These tools equip you with the information needed to support confident diagnostic decisions. Download the SPECTRALIS Glaucoma Toolkit here.
Additionally, the ANTERION® Metrics App allows for non-contact assessment of iridocorneal angles and anterior segment anatomy, providing precise measurements and automatic identification of the scleral spur to enhance your early detection capabilities.
Dr. Benjamin Xu, Chief of the University of Southern California's Glaucoma Service, presents a webinar on using non-invasive anterior segment imaging, including ANTERION® technology and AI, to detect and treat angle closure glaucoma. (Video 1)
Referrals and Data Sharing
Once a confident diagnosis is achieved, effective management relies on seamless referrals and data sharing, which is where the integration of HEYEX EMR with the HEYEX 2 platform becomes indispensable. Effective glaucoma management necessitates streamlined referrals and data sharing throughout your clinic. This system centralizes patient information, minimizing duplication and manual data entry errors.
HEYEX 2 Cloud Exchange facilitates secure, peer-to-peer transfer of images and data over the internet, eliminating the need for VPN connections. This feature enables efficient and encrypted data transfers, ensuring timely communication with other healthcare providers and enhancing your referral process. Learn to start using Cloud Exchange and transfer data after setting it up on HEYEX 2.
The HEYEX 2 Multimodality Viewer (MMV) (Image 1) enhances your diagnostic workflows by enabling side-by-side review of images and reports from both eyes, consolidating all pertinent data for comprehensive analysis, in one single view.
Image 1: HEYEX 2 Multimodality Viewer (MMV) dashboard with SPECTRALIS GMPE image and Hood Glaucoma Report plus third party visual field report and fundus image side by side with ANTERION clinical viewer.
Confident Diagnostic Decisions
“I have chanced upon signs which masquerade as glaucoma on an OCT scan. Branch retinal artery occlusions or cotton wool spots — small infarcts or blood vessel closures — can result in an initial swelling in the nerve fibre layer. They are transient and disappear in a few weeks, and are often caused by high blood pressure or kidney disease.” PROF. SANJAY ASRANI, Duke Eye Center, North Carolina, USA
Accurate glaucoma diagnosis hinges on comprehensive examination techniques. The SPECTRALIS GMPE provides accurate measurements and visualization of key parameters involved in glaucoma diagnosis such as the optic nerve head, retinal nerve fibre layer, and macular ganglion cell layer, via OCT imaging. Tools like Bruch’s Membrane Opening – Minimum Rim Width (BMO-MRW) offer objective, geometrically accurate measurements of the neuro-retinal rim, aiding your early detection efforts. The reference database further guides your analyses.
Learn to integrate the power of OCT imaging and SPECTRALIS GMPE in your daily practice in this educational webinar by Dr. Swarup Swaminathan. Watch here. (Video 2)
Sometimes glaucoma needs to be differentiated from other conditions with similar presentations. Recognizing these nuances ensures your accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning.
Monitoring and Follow-Up
Regular monitoring is critical for managing glaucoma patients. The HEYEX 2 Multimodality Viewer supports ongoing data sharing and displays follow-up examinations across multiple locations, allowing you to access previous images and reports easily. Post-surgery, the ANTERION Metrics App provides precise measurements and visualizations of the anterior chamber and the anterior chamber angle, crucial for effective patient management.
Integration with the SPECTRALIS core technologies, such as TruTrack Active Eye Tracking and AutoRescan, ensures accurate monitoring of disease progression. These tools enable follow-up scans in the exact anatomical locations as previous exams, allowing you to detect minute changes with high precision.
When surgical intervention is required, SEELUMA™, the world's first fully digital microscope, offers unparalleled precision through its 3D visualization technology. It provides exceptional image quality, ergonomics, and educational features, significantly benefiting your surgical practice.
The Heidelberg Engineering Glaucoma Workflow Solution is designed to integrate seamlessly into your patient care routine, supporting unparalleled diagnostic confidence and efficiency. By leveraging these advanced tools and technologies, you can overcome the challenges in glaucoma management, improving patient outcomes and engagement.
Delve deeper into how these solutions can transform your practice.
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