New management concepts for timely diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy treatable by photocoagulation.

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. Photocoagulation has been shown to reduce visual loss from macular edema and proliferative retinopathy. Because serious diabetic retinopathy may be asymptomatic and its detection difficult, several recommendations have been made by the National Diabetes Advisory Board for routine ophthalmologic examinations to ensure timely treatment. In geographic areas devoid of ophthalmologists, alternate approaches are necessary. These include intensive training of primary-care physicians in ophthalmoscopy, use of objective recording of retinopathy by fundus photography with interpretation of fundus photographs by retinal specialists, and better communication between primary-care physicians and retinal specialists.