Ophthalmological telemedicine in prisons
preliminary results from six institutions in Paraguay
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70313/2718.7446.v17.n03.344Keywords:
telemedicine, ophthalmology, prison, prisoners, prevention of blindness., ParaguayAbstract
Objective: To describe preliminary results of a telemedicine system of the Retina Paraguay Foundation for the detection and management of ophthalmic pathologies in the penitentiary population.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective study to analyze the preliminary results of a screening campaign for ocular pathologies organized by the Retina Paraguay Foundation in inmates of six different penitentiary institutions in Paraguay, during the year 2023. Using a non-mydriatic retinograph, images of the fundus of the eye were recorded in each inmate. The OptRetina® software (Barcelona, Spain) was used, by means of which the images were sent to be evaluated by specialists, to detect potential pathologies and discriminate who required referral, issuing the corresponding report.
Results: A total of 365 people were evaluated, detecting pathologies and indicating referral in 143 cases (39%). Forty-two percent of the alterations were cataracts, followed by hypertensive retinal vasculopathies (23%), optic nerve alterations compatible with glaucoma (18%) and signs compatible with diabetic retinopathy (11%).
Conclusion: Ophthalmic pathology detection has been achieved using a telemedicine system in persons admitted at penitentiary institutions in Paraguay.
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