A case of intraocular surgery performed during home medical care: Development and implementation of an ophthalmic surgery vehicle

Abstract

　Currently, home medical eye care mainly consists of eye drop treatment a follow-up observation. Intraocular surgery requires transportation to a medical facility. We created an ophthalmic surgery vehicle and performed one case of visiting surgery. 　The vehicle is equipped with a microscope and machines for intraocular surgery. The District Transport Bureau approved this vehicle as a medical quarantine vehicle. The public health center determined that there were no sanitary problems. We confirmed with the Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare that the treatment was covered by public insurance. 　A 65-year-old man is suffering from spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy requiring help to walk. He fell and lost vision in his right eye. Nine days later, we made a house call. His right eye vision is hand motion. The fundus could not be seen clearly due to vitreous hemorrhage. Fifteen days later, vitrectomy was performed in a surgical vehicle at the patientʼs parking lot. The cause of the bleeding was diabetic retinopathy triggered by a fall. 　Postoperatively, the vitreous hemorrhage disappeared. Postoperative corrected visual acuity was 1.0. We made it possible to perform intraocular surgery at the patientʼs parking lot. Our new medical vehicle is significant for home surgical eye care.