[Use of non-mydriatic retinography to determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in diabetic patients]

Abstract

Objectives: To establish the prevalence and severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in a sample of patients from "Health Area 3" in the Community of Madrid using non-mydriatic retinography and telemedicine.

Methods: All patients who had their ocular fundus examined due to one of the following conditions were included in the sample: type 1 diabetes (DM1), type 2 non- insulin-dependent diabetes (DM2NID), and type 2 insulin-dependent diabetes (DM2ID). In all cases, 3-field retinographies were taken of both eyes to be evaluated for the presence of DR, and its severity, by an ophthalmologist at the hospital.

Results: No DR was observed in 79% of the patients examined, 9% had a mild non-proliferative DR, 9% had a moderate non-proliferative DR, and 1% had a severe non-proliferative DR. The estimated prevalence of DR in "Health Area 3" of the Community of Madrid was thus 21%. In 12% of the examinations the retinographies were considered "low quality", thus requiring a second evaluation at hospital.

Conclusions: The use of non-mydriatic retinography and telemedicine is an adequate method for the screening of DR among the diabetic population.