Challenges Encountered by Ophthalmologists in Large Populations of Russian Immigrants (Presented in Russian)
Narrative Responses:
Purpose
To discuss peculiarities of presentations of the most common eye conditions, their treatment, and responses of patients of specific communities to the treatment modalities, comparing to those in general American population.
Methods
This is to share experience based on the author’s 9 year of practicing in the dense population of Russian immigrants in Philadelphia, PA (the fourth densest in the United States). Improving patients’ compliance, topical and systemic pre-treatment before cataract surgery, use of capsular staining, iris retractors and capsular tension rings are explored and discussed.
Results
Over 50,000 patients examined and treated within 9 years of practice. The most common conditions were found to be severe blepharoconjunctivitis, pseudo-exfoliations, long-term use of alpha 1a antagonists in various forms, uncontrolled diabetes, and significant non-compliance with different treatment modalities. Special considerations are given to history taking, discussion of treatment options, patients’ compliance, and preferred techniques in complex cataract surgery.
Conclusion
Some obstacles in providing eye care to Russian-speaking patients are attributed to certain cultural, psychological and medical issues. The author’s recommendations will help to understand these issues and improve quality of care not only by American-trained physicians, but by those who practice in certain countries of former Soviet Union.