CAVHCS and VISN 7 Expand Access to Glaucoma Care Through Innovative Telehealth Services
The Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) is working with the VISN 7 Clinical Resource Hub (CRH) to improve eye care services for Veterans in central Alabama. One major challenge has been the long distances that rural Veterans have to travel to see eye specialists.
Since 2018, CAVHCS has built a strong partnership with VISN 7 CRH, led by Dr. April Maa, the Director of Virtual Eye Care Services. This partnership resulted in the launch of Technology-based Eye Care Services (TECS) at CAVHCS in 2019. TECS uses telehealth to make routine eye care, like screenings and eyeglass prescriptions, more accessible.
A big step forward came in November 2020 when TECS introduced mobile clinics that provide follow-up care after virtual eye exams. The mobile services at CAVHCS-Montgomery have brought critical eye care directly to Veterans. What started as 10% of clinic time has now increased to nearly 50%, showing how effective and in-demand these services are.
CAVHCS has also expanded eye care services to Columbus, where specialized clinics have been held twice a month since February 2024.
In April 2024, CAVHCS and VISN 7 CRH launched Synchronous Tele-Glaucoma clinics, a new service that connects Veterans with glaucoma specialists using Clinical Video Telehealth (CVT). This is the first program of its kind in the VA healthcare system.
Dr. Annette Giangiacomo, a TECS glaucoma specialist in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, works with VISN 7 CRH to provide expert care without requiring Veterans to travel far.
"Synchronous Tele-Glaucoma clinics are a game changer," said Dr. Saima Kanwal, Interim Associate Chief of Staff for Acute Care & Specialties at CAVHCS. "They ensure our Veterans receive specialized care for severe glaucoma locally, enhancing patient-provider relationships and facilitating timely treatment."
The CVT system allows real-time interaction between Veterans and providers, improving diagnosis and education. Jacqueline Bricken, an Ophthalmology Technician at CAVHCS, said, "This approach ensures continuity of care comparable to face-to-face visits, with specialists having access to comprehensive patient records and the ability to conduct thorough examinations remotely."
CAVHCS and VISN 7 CRH are committed to expanding telehealth services and finding new ways to deliver specialized care in the future. "Our goal is to continue breaking down geographic barriers," Dr. Kanwal said, "ensuring all Veterans receive the highest quality eye care regardless of location."