Developing and Testing a Model to Identify Preventive Vision Loss Among Older Patients in General Practice
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: focus on vision impairment in older patients in general practice.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Vision Impairment and Blindness, Glaucoma, Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Cataract. Basic parameters: from 70 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Denmark
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Developing and Testing a Model to Identify Preventive Vision Loss Among Older Patients in General Practice (DETECT)
Overview
In this cohort study, the investigators will test vision screenings in Danish general practice for patients over 70 years of age with minimum one chronic condition. The main outcome is detection of vision impairment and secondary outcome is detection of conditions needing ophthalmologic follow-up but not presenting vision impairment at present time.
Detailed description
Introduction: The number of people living with visual impairment is increasing. Visual impairment causes loss in quality of life and reduce self-care abilities. The burden of disease is heavy for people experiencing visual impairment and their relatives. The severity and progression of age-related eye diseases are dependent on the time of detection and treatment options, making timely access to healthcare critical in reducing visual impairment. General practice plays a key role in public health by managing preventive healthcare, diagnostics and treatment of chronic conditions. General practitioners (GPs) coordinate services from other healthcare professionals. More involvement of the primary sector could potentially be valuable in detecting visual impairment.
Methods: Investigators apply the Medical Research Council framework for complex interventions to develop a primary care intervention with the GP as a key actor, aimed at identifying and coordinating care for patients with low vision. The development process will engage patients, relatives and relevant health professional stakeholders. The investigators will pilot test the feasibility of the intervention in a real-world general practice setting. The intervention model will be developed through a participatory approach using qualitative and creative methods such as graphical facilitation. The project aims to explore the potentials and limitations of general practice in relation to detection of preventable vision loss.
Ethics and dissemination: Ethics approval is obtained from local authority and the study meets the requirements from the Declaration of Helsinki. Dissemination is undertaken through research papers and to the broader public through podcasts and patient organisations.
Interventions
- Other focus on vision impairment in older patients in general practice
GP or GP nurse carry out the three vision tests. All patients visit optician shop collaborating with the project. An ophthalmologist review data from optometrists and provide an epicrisis to general practice. In case of acute conditions, the ophthalmologist is responsible for expedient treatment. If the patient needs further control by ophthalmologist within 12 month waiting time, general practice are responsible for referring the patient.
Primary outcome measures
- Recruitment feasibility [Time frame: From invitation to participate to enrollment within 4 weeks]
- Adherence [Time frame: From enrollment to completion of GP intervention within 3 weeks.]
- Adherence [Time frame: From enrollment to completion of optometrist testing within 5 months.]
- Acceptability [Time frame: From enrollment to interview within 12 months.]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- +70 years
- One or more chronic diseases
- Are followed by GP du to chronic disease
Exclusion criteria
- Dementia diagnosis
- Known eye-diseases or are currently followed by private ophtalmologist
- Not able to understand Danish
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- N/A
- Model
- Sequential
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Screening
Study locations
Denmark · 2 centers
- GP practices — Copenhagen
- GP practices — Køge
Publications
- Sandholdt CT, Jonsson ABR, Reventlow S, Bach-Holm D, Line K, Kolko M, Jacobsen MH, Mathiesen OH, Waldorff FB. DETECT: DEveloping and testing a model to identify preventive vision loss among older paTients in gEneral praCTice - protocol for a complex intervention in Denmark. BMJ Open. 2023 May 29;13(5):e069974. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069974. PMID 37247966
- Brost AG, Petersen ML, Steinbo EKF, Siersma V, Bach-Holm D, Line K, Kristensen M, Waldorff FB, Sandholdt CT. Detection of age-related vision reduction in general practice in Denmark (DETECT): a study protocol for a feasibility and cohort study. BMJ Open. 2026 May 20;16(5):e115062. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-115062. PMID 42161554
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07015034 · 869353 · 869353