Bridging the Diagnostic Gap of Neuro-Ophthalmic Disorders with Technology and Telehealth in Emergency Medicine and Primary Care Facilities

Abstract

Due to the limited familiarity with neuro-ophthalmology and the absence of essential equipment like optical coherence tomography (OCT) or a fundus camera in the emergency department (ED) setting, there is a substantial gap in the ability to accurately diagnose and treat neuro-ophthalmic disorders. This deficiency often results in patients making multiple visits to the ED, where they receive limited or no treatment, thereby increasing the risk of disease progression and potentially leading to blindness. Enhancing the accessibility of neuro-ophthalmological services can be achieved by leveraging telehealth, integrating artificial intelligence, and incorporating diagnostic aids like ophthalmic fundus cameras and OCT in both primary care and emergency department settings. Additionally, developing specialized hospital protocols for neuro-ophthalmology, particularly for cases involving temporary visual impairment due to papilledema, should help manage the care of patients with universal symptoms like headaches, especially if neuro- ophthalmologists are not easily accessible for consultation.