Ocular telemedicine for diabetic retinopathy and the Joslin Vision Network.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the most common microvascular complication of diabetes. The Joslin Vision Network Diabetes Eye Care Program (JVN) is a validated ocular telemedicine program developed at the Joslin Diabetes Center that has provided diabetes eye care to over 70,000 persons. The JVN allows accurate assessment of level of DR severity, detects the presence of nondiabetic eye disease, and allows determination of appropriate treatment recommendations. The JVN integrates eye care in a comprehensive diabetes program, extends access to evidence-based diabetes eye care, and offers alternative means of diabetes eye care in appropriate settings, ultimately preserving vision and preventing visual loss.