Update on Screening for Sight-Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy

Ophthalmic Res. 2019;62(4):218-224. doi: 10.1159/000499539. Epub 2019 May 27.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this article was to describe recent advances in the use of new technology in diabetic retinopathy screening by looking at studies that assessed the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these technologies.

Methods: The author conducts an ongoing search for articles relating to screening or management of diabetic retinopathy utilising Zetoc with keywords and contents page lists from relevant journals.

Results: The areas discussed in this article are reference standards, alternatives to digital photography, area of retina covered by the screening method, size of the device and hand-held cameras, mydriasis versus non-mydriasis or a combination, measurement of distance visual acuity, grading of images, use of automated grading analysis and cost-effectiveness of the new technologies.

Conclusions: There have been many recent advances in technology that may be adopted in the future by screening programmes for sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy but each device will need to demonstrate effectiveness and cost-effectiveness before more widespread adoption.

Keywords: Imaging; Retinal screening; Retinopathy; Sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy; Visual loss.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Diabetic Retinopathy / diagnosis*
  • Diabetic Retinopathy / epidemiology
  • Global Health
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Mass Screening / methods*
  • Photography / methods
  • Retina / diagnostic imaging*
  • Visual Acuity