Abstract for presentation at The Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists Annual Scientific Meeting 2007

Management of Acute Optic Neuritis: Survey of Ophthalmologists and Neurologists in Australia and New Zealand

  • A/Prof Christian Lueck, The Canberra Hospital and ANU Medical School, Australia
  • A/Prof Helen Danesh-Meyer, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
  • Ms Faith Margrie, The Canberra Hospital, Australia
  • Dr Carolyn Drews-Botsch, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
  • Dr Olivier Calvetti, Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta, GA, United States
  • Prof Nancy Newman, Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta, GA, United States
  • Prof Valérie Biousse, Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta, GA, United States

    • Purpose: Recent clinical trials have provided insight into the natural history of acute optic neuritis (ON) and its association with multiple sclerosis, and have had significant implications for its management. However, the results of these trials are not always incorporated into clinical practice, and the current management of an individual patient with acute ON by neurologists and ophthalmologists varies widely. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current practice patterns of ophthalmologists and neurologists in Australia and New Zealand, and to assess the impact of the most recent clinical trials on the management of acute ON.
    Methods: A 4-page survey was mailed to Ophthalmologists and Neurologists practicing in Australia and New Zealand. It included 24 questions evaluating physicians’ demographic characteristics and training, the frequency of their encounters with patients with acute ON, and their investigation and treatment of ON. Familiarity with important recent clinical trials was also evaluated. Second and third mailings were sent after 4 and 8 weeks.
    Results: The survey was mailed to 1,371 physicians [802 ophthalmologists (715 in Australia and 87 in New Zealand) and 569 neurologists (524 in Australia and 45 in New Zealand)]. The response rate was 38.9%. The results of the survey will be presented at the meeting.
    Conclusions: there is considerable variation in practice both within and between specialities, even regarding aspects of management for which clear evidence-based clinical guidelines have now been published. A number of physicians are still apparently unaware of the large clinical trials of ON and the use of disease modifying agents in clinically isolated syndromes, and/or do not translate the results into clinical practice appropriately. This suggests that further education of ophthalmologists and neurologists should be a priority with a view to optimising patient management.

    Conference Organiser - ICMS Pty Ltd