Australia and New Zealand survey of glaucoma practice patterns.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate current glaucoma practices among consultant ophthalmologists in Australia and New Zealand.
METHODS: A postal questionnaire of 25 questions regarding current glaucoma practices and the use of antimetabolites and steroids in trabeculectomy surgery was sent to all practising Australian and New Zealand Fellows of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (as of June 2005). This paper looked at glaucoma practice patterns and consisted of questions on demographic data, the definition of glaucoma, intraocular pressure measurements, central corneal thickness, gonioscopy, optic disc assessment, preferred first-line glaucoma medications and laser trabeculoplasty.
RESULTS: The overall response rate was 78% (627 out of 808). Ninety-one per cent stated that they managed glaucoma of which 12% considered themselves as a glaucoma subspecialist. Eighty-two per cent of ophthalmologists defined glaucoma as an optic neuropathy and 66% measured the intraocular pressure themselves. Pachymetry was routinely measured by 37%. When performing gonioscopy, 56% did this (more than 50% of the time) but only 13% repeated it. Fifty-eight per cent assessed the optic disc by objective means and 18% used this to follow glaucoma patients. Eighty-two per cent preferred a prostaglandin analogue as first-line treatment of primary open angle glaucoma and 79% did less than 10 argon laser trabeculoplasties in 2004.
CONCLUSIONS: This survey shows a wide range of glaucoma practice patterns among Australian and New Zealand ophthalmologists. Gonioscopy (initial and repeat) and objective assessment of the optic disc were poorly done.