Accessibility of ophthalmological care in the context of the growing prevalence of diseases of the visual analyzer

Abstract

Purpose. The aim of our study was to search for and analyze effective preventive, medical, diagnostic, and screening strategies published in scientific literature to ensure equal access to specialized ophthalmological care for different segments of the population, especially those diagnosed with ophthalmological pathologies. Materials and methods. The materials and methods of the study were the results of scientific research published in scientific literature on the problems of studying the accessibility of specialized ophthalmological care for different segments of the population. Achieving the research goal required the use of general scientific and special research methods, including: the systematic approach; bibliosemantic; content analysis; and structural-logical analysis. Results. The experience of various countries around the world published in scientific literature demonstrates evidence of an increase in the prevalence of ophthalmic diseases with age, with ophthalmic complications of diabetes mellitus and age-related macular degeneration increasing at an especially rapid rate. Early diagnosis can help prevent the progression of the disease. The use of modern software for predicting complications of diabetes mellitus allows predicting the onset of diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus. In patients with diabetes mellitus against the background of chronic hyperglycemia, diabetic retinopathy occurs and develops, the progression of which into a proliferative form increases the risk of complete loss of vision. Real-life examples of the implementation of regional medical and preventive strategies to prevent the development of blindness and low vision in different countries around the world are given, their positive results are described, and issues that continue to be actively debated are discussed. Conclusions. A review of current scientific literature demonstrates the growing relevance of research on the development and testing of systematic organizational approaches to the implementation of modern medical and preventive technologies and methods for improving the accessibility of ophthalmic care, especially for patients with age-related macular degeneration and diabetes mellitus, whose ophthalmic complications have been shown to negatively affect the working capacity, disability, and quality of life of such patients.