Export PDF Favorites Scan Get Citation

Objectives  The prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is rising in China in recent years, and there are more and more drug treatment modalities for this disease. However, all over the country many ophthalmologists have only limited knowledge of prevention and intervention of AMD. In most hospitals the management of AMD is personal experience-based without consensus. It is urgent to propose a standardized clinical pathway for AMD in China. Methods  The clinical guideline and clinical pathway development committee of AMD is established under the Chinese Ocular Fundus Diseases Society. The committee proposed the Chinese AMD clinical pathway (hereinafter referred to as  quot;clinical pathway quot;), based on existed international guidelines, and updated clinical research evidence, the specific types of AMD and the current socio-economic status in China. Results  This clinical pathway was developed on the basis of the clinical stages and clinical types of AMD, including the choice of examination items, treatment Methods , follow-up and low vision aids. The clinical pathway was designed in flow sheets, which is easy to understand and implement for ophthalmologists, thus to standardize AMD clinical management procedures. Conclusions  The clinical pathway, which followed the basic principles of evidencebased medicine and combined with the actual demands of patients with AMD in China, provides principle guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of AMD. The clinical pathway was designed to meet the requirements of the majority of AMD patients; clinicians should also consider individual situations of patients, available treatment options, the patient's affordability and other factors when making treatment decisions.

Citation: 中华医学会眼科学分会眼底病学组中国老年性黄斑变性临床指南与临床路径制订委员会. Clinical Pathway of Age-related Macular Degeneration in China. Chinese Journal of Ocular Fundus Diseases, 2013, 29(4): 343-355. doi: Copy