World first improves Glaucoma diagnosis through cyberspace

13 Mar 2009

A new online interactive test for eye care providers aims to decrease the effects of the debilitating eye condition Glaucoma through earlier detection.

The GONE Project (Glaucomatous Optic Neuropathy Evaluation Project), a joint initiative of the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and Centre for Eye Research Australia, is the world’s first internet based system for assessing skills in diagnosing Glaucoma.

March 12 marks World Glaucoma Day. Glaucoma irreversibly destroys vision gradually, starting with side vision. If detected early enough, the effects can be slowed using appropriate treatment.

Professor Jonathan Crowston, Head of Glaucoma at the Eye and Ear Hospital, said half of Glaucoma in Australia is undiagnosed. This is despite the fact that half those with undiagnosed glaucoma visited an eye care provider in the past year.

“We’re not certain why glaucoma is being missed but it is quite possible that key signs that point to Glaucoma are being overlooked. This project aims to improve eye care provider’s skills at diagnosing glaucoma and thus reduce rates of misdiagnosis.”

In the GONE project, eye care providers are asked to look at 42 online photos of the optic disc in the eye and assess each photo based on nine characteristics and determine the likelihood of Glaucoma.

Their answers are then compared with a group of Glaucoma experts.

Ophthalmologist at the Eye and Ear Hospital Associate Professor Michael Coote said if the experts and the practitioners do not agree, it helps identify which characteristics are not being picked up in the diagnosis process.

"It's a win win. We get to see the gaps in people's knowledge through this feedback and we can set up educational learning tools to improve understanding and professional practice.”

“Although Glaucoma can be diagnosed by testing the pressure of the eye, half of people with Glaucoma do not have raised eye pressure when they are first seen. We need all eye professionals to see and recognise the sometimes subtle signs of Glaucoma by looking at the optic nerve at the back of the eye.”

So far 182 ophthalmologists, optometrists and orthoptists from 16 countries have completed the assessment.

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