The RAND Consensus Study for Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma in Latin America

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: To report the results of a Latin American (LA) consensus panel regarding the diagnosis and management of primary open angle glaucoma, and to compare these results with those from a similar panel in the United States (US). Design: A RAND-like appropriateness methodology was used to assess glaucoma practice in LA. Methods: The 148 polling statements created for the RAND- like analysis in the US and 10 additional statements specific to glaucoma care in LA were presented to a panel of LA glaucoma experts. Panelists were polled in private using the RAND- like methodology prior to and after a panel meeting. Results: Consensus agreement or disagreement amongst LA experts was reached for 51.3% of statements prior to the meeting and increased to 66.5% in the private, anonymous post meeting polling (79.0% agreement, 21.0% disagreement). While there was a high degree of concordance (111 of 148 statements, 75%) between the results of this LA panel and the US panel, there were some notable exceptions relating to diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making. Conclusions: This RAND-like consensus methodology provides a perspective of how LA glaucoma practitioners view many aspects of glaucoma and compares these results with those obtained using a similar methodology from practitioners in the US. These findings may be helpful to ophthalmologists providing glaucoma care in LA and in other regions of the world.