Evaluation of TeleOphthalmology in AMD-TeleMedicine Solutions to Improve Patient Access and Quality of Vision Outcomes

Hypothesis: The use of teleophthalmology for patient screening will result in more rapid patient access for treatment. The use of teleophthalmology to monitor patients with wet AMD post-treatment will result in maintenance of good visual outcomes combined with a reduction in patient travel and improved patients satisfaction in a cost effective manner. Objectives : The Evaluation of Teleophthalmology in AMD project objectives are as follows: 1. To evaluate the efficacy of teleophthalmology in screening patients referred to retina specialists for suspected wet AMD. 2. To compare the "time to treatment/retreatment" with this program with that of patient's entering the system and being followed conventionally to determine the efficacy of teleophthalmology to provide rapid entry/re-entry into treatment programs. 3. To determine the efficacy of teleophthalmology in monitoring patients with wet AMD post therapy. 4. To determine the compliance rate for monitoring wet AMD during follow-up utilizing teleophthalmology. 5. To evaluate the cost effectiveness of teleophthalmology in screening/monitoring wet AMD patients including direct costs to the OHIP system and indirect costs to the patient/caregiver. 6. To assess patient satisfaction with teleophthalmology versus standard clinical care in the monitoring of post-treatment wet AMD. 7. To evaluate teleophthalmology as a tool for communication between community based Optometrists /Ophthalmologists and Retina Specialists.