Veteran eye disease after eligibility reform: Prevalence and characteristics

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of eye disease in new "routine" eye patients at the Atlanta Veteran Affairs Medical Center. Design: Retrospective chart review of all new eye patients seen in the Atlanta Veteran Affairs Medical Center Comprehensive Eye Clinic over a 2-month period (January 1, 2008-February 28, 2008). Participants: 691 charts met inclusion criteria, with 33 charts excluded for insufficient documentation in the medical record. This left a total of 658 charts for the study. Methods: Charts were reviewed for the following information: demographic data, vision, ocular diagnoses (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes), and planned minor/laser/incisional surgical procedures. Additional data collected included whether glasses were prescribed and legal blindness. Main Outcome Measures: Vision-threatening ocular diagnoses and need for minor/laser/incision surgery were tabulated. Results: There was a very high prevalence of potentially blinding disease in this population of new "routine" eye patients. About 63.4% of veterans were diagnosed with at least one ocular diagnosis other than refractive error; 25% had glaucoma or were suspects, 6% had cataracts, 5% had age-related macular degeneration, and 8% required a surgical procedure. Conclusion: The rate of ocular pathology is high in the veteran population. © Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S. All rights reserved.