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. 2024 Jun 14;24(1):256.
doi: 10.1186/s12886-024-03508-4.

Improving diabetic retinopathy screening at the point of care: integrating telemedicine to overcome current challenges

Farinaz Salavatian #  1 , Nahid Hashemi-Madani #  2 , Zahra Emami  2 , Zahra Hosseini  3 , Khalil Ghasemi Falavarjani  4 , Mohammad E Khamseh  5
Affiliations

Improving diabetic retinopathy screening at the point of care: integrating telemedicine to overcome current challenges

Farinaz Salavatian et al. BMC Ophthalmol. .

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the utility of point of care screening of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and the impact of a telemedicine program to overcome current challenges.

Methods: This was a retrospective study on people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who were screened for DR using the single-field non-mydriatic fundus photography at the point of care during routine follow-up visits at endocrinology clinic. Retinal images were uploaded and sent to a retina specialist for review. Reports indicating retinopathy status and the need for direct retinal examination were transmitted back to the endocrinology clinic. All patients were informed about DR status and, if needed, referred to the retina specialist for direct retinal examination.

Results: Of the 1159 individuals screened for DR, 417 persons (35.98%) were screen-positive and referred to the retina specialist for direct retinal examination. A total of 121 individuals (29.01%) underwent direct retinal examination by the specialist. Diabetes macular edema (DME) was detected in 12.1%. In addition, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) were detected in 53.4% and 2.6% of the patients, respectively.

Conclusion: Integrating DR screening program at the point of care at the secondary care services improves the rate of DR screening as well as detection of sight threatening retinopathy and provides the opportunity for timely intervention in order to prevent advanced retinopathy in people with T2DM.

Keywords: Adherence rate; Diabetes retinopathy; Fundus photography; Screening rate.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram to demonstrate the participants at the point of care DR screening program NPDR; non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, PDR; proliferative diabetic retinopathy, ME; macular edema
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Suggested strategy for a local diabetic retinopathy screening program at the point of care
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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