In a nutshell
This study looked at remote screening for diabetic retinopathy (DR; eye disease) in a Japanese population. This study showed that remote screening for DR is an effective way of identifying patients who need ophthalmic intervention.
Some background
Long-term uncontrolled diabetes affects small blood vessels, including in the eyes. This is called diabetic retinopathy (DR). DR is one of the leading causes of blindness in younger patients. It can be treated most effectively when it is detected early, long before patients start noticing symptoms.
Screening for early-stage DR is therefore very important to detect these early changes. Imaging systems can be used to take detailed pictures of the retina (the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye). These pictures can then be reviewed by an eye doctor. This avoids the need for the patient to see the doctor which saves time, and during the covid-19 pandemic is safer for patients and doctors. Therefore, it is important to examine if a remote DR screening program is effective.
Methods & findings
499 patients with diabetes with an average age of 62.5 years were included in this study. Patients attended a hospital medical department where they had retinal photos taken with an ultra-widefield retinal imaging device. These photos were reviewed remotely by ophthalmologists in a Japanese University Hospital.
5% of all patients had proliferative DR, which is a sight-threatening condition requiring urgent treatment. 80% of these patients had attended an ophthalmologist within the past 12 months. In patients with DR, the severity was higher in patients with uncontrolled diabetes (an HbA1c level of 8% or higher).
20.8% of all patients reviewed had never been seen by an ophthalmologist. Of these patients, 82.7% did not have DR.
The bottom line
This study showed that remote screening for DR is an effective way of identifying patients who need ophthalmic intervention.
The fine print
This study is based in one medical center in Japan. Further studies are needed to allow the generalization of these results.
Published By :
Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
Date :
Jun 05, 2021
