Diagnostic accuracy of tele-ophthalmology versus face-to-face consultation: abridged secondary publication
KC Shih1, JKW Wong1, JX Lian2, CLK Lam3, JSM Lai1
1 Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
2 School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China
3 Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Tele-ophthalmology highly agrees with face-to-face consultation in the diagnosis and grading of cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
- Tele-ophthalmology is highly sensitive and specific for AMD, highly specific but less sensitive for cataracts, and highly sensitive but less specific for glaucoma.
- Tele-ophthalmology results in higher downstream costs than face-to-face consultation, because tele-ophthalmology over-diagnoses cataracts and its severity.