Population based glaucoma screening

PhD ceremony: dhr. R. Stoutenbeek, 16.15 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Thesis: Population based glaucoma screening

Promotor(s): mw. prof.dr. J.M.M. Hooijmans, prof.dr. P.T.V.M. de Jong

Faculty: Medical Sciences

Contact: UMCG spokesperson, tel. +3150-361 2200, e-mail: voorlichting bvl.umcg.nl

In this thesis, several factors are identified that have a further negative impact on the cost-effectiveness of population based glaucoma screening. These factors are: length bias, suboptimal by-patient test specificity, and large clinical workload from false positives. This leads to the conclusion that at present population based glaucoma screening is not feasible in the Netherlands. One of the studies of this thesis shows that the major part of Dutch inhabitants over age 40 visits an optician regularly, and that opticians are willing to participate in glaucoma screening. Optician based screening is therefore a promising alternative to population based screening, and will be subject of further research projects.