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Innovations
Ocular telemedicine between Nepal and the USA: prevalence of vitreoretinal disease in rural Nepal
  1. J N Ulrich1,
  2. G Poudyal2,
  3. S J Marks1,
  4. T R Vrabec1,3,
  5. B Marks1,
  6. A B S Thapa2,
  7. M K Shresta2,
  8. S Ruit2,
  9. J L Federman3
  1. 1
    Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania, USA
  2. 2
    Tilganga Eye Center, Kathmandu, Nepal
  3. 3
    Henry and Corrine Bower Laboratory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
  1. Dr J N Ulrich, Geisinger Medical Center, Department of Ophthalmology, 100 N. Academy Ave, Danville, PA 17822, USA; npilic{at}web.de

Abstract

This study is aimed at reporting experiences with telemedicine between Nepal and the USA and at reporting the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in rural Nepal. AMD and DR are becoming more significant factors for non-reversible vision loss in rural Nepal due to increasing life expectancy and urbanisation. The prevalence of DM is low compared with the developed world, but the percentage of diabetics with DR is high, presumably due to limited access to healthcare. The higher prevalence of DM in Hetauda is explained as being due to a more urban lifestyle, dietary habits (more deep-fried food) and more advanced age.

https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo.2008.151357

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    Footnotes

    • Competing interests: None.

    • Ethics approval: Ethics approval was provided by Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania, USA.

    • Patient consent: Obtained.