This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Big data registries can lead to new glaucoma research opportunities
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
WAILEA, Hawaii — The IRIS Registry, the largest clinical data registry in the world for any specialty, has great potential for furthering glaucoma research and treatment, according to a speaker here.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology’s IRIS Registry enables clinicians to look at large patient populations, rare diseases, prevalence data and differences in practice patterns geographically or disparities in practice among certain patient populations, Cynthia Mattox, MD, FACS, said at Hawaiian Eye 2018.
“Looking for outcomes, that’s our ultimate goal, to advance our clinical care of patients. Looking for those risk factors and confounders that can inform us so that we can alter our care and really become better at what we do,” Mattox said.
The registry includes more than 5.4 million unique patients with glaucoma and more than 8.6 million eyes with glaucoma. In 2016, it became mandatory to record the severity of glaucoma in patients, and about 20% of patients are coded with a severity staging. Among those patients, 20% of eyes are in the severe category of glaucoma, she said.
Ophthalmologists will be able to use these data to help monitor different models of care, Mattox said.
“What’s next? A number of organizations are starting to sponsor projects ... the American Glaucoma Society has actually awarded a project to look at the outcomes of MIGS, particularly racial disparities. The academy is awarding data analytic center awards across the country; there will be four to five of those that will be participating and answering questions about our patients using the IRIS Registry,” she said. – by Robert Linnehan
Reference:
Mattox C. Glaucoma and big data. Presented at: Hawaiian Eye 2018; Jan. 13-19, 2018; Wailea, Hawaii.
Disclosure: Mattox reports receiving a consulting fee for Aerie, Alcon, Allergan and New World Medical. She reports contracted research with Alcon and Allergan, and ownership interest in Hemera.