Routine screening for diabetic eye complications in a population based cohort of 4.438 persons with type 2 diabetes in a Danish county.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to describe the use of routine screening for diabetic eye complications in a large population based cohort of type 2 diabetic patients in the County of Vejle, Denmark. Furthermore, it aims to identify characteristics of patients and general practitioners related to the frequency of eye examinations.

METHODS

The type 2 diabetic population alive and resident in the County of Vejle on 1st January 1997. Data concerning eye examinations were collected from public data files for the period of January 1993 to December 1997.

RESULTS

In a population of 4438 type 2 diabetic patients, 46% had had one annual eye examination in 1997 and 26% had not had a single eye examination within the last five years. Patient characteristics related to an eye examination included: treatment with insulin or oral hypoglycaemic agents, females and long duration of diabetes. The number of diabetic patients who had had an eye examination varied substantially between the general practices. The characteristics of general practitioners were not related to this variation.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate a great need for quality improvement of ophthalmologic service in diabetes care. To achieve this improvement, more focus should be given to cooperation between the general practitioners and the ophthalmologists.