Systematic screening for diabetic eye disease in insulin dependent diabetes.

Under a national program established in 1980, the eyes of approximately 90% of the insulin dependent diabetic patients in Iceland have undergone annual eye examination and fundus photography. Laser treatment was given for proliferative retinopathy or diabetic macular edema according to Diabetic Retinopathy Study and Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study criteria. We report on 205 insulin-taking patients whose age at diagnosis was less than 30 years of age. Retinopathy was present in 106 (52%) patients and proliferative retinopathy in 26 (13%). 196 patients (96%) had visual acuity equal or better than 6/12 in their better eye, 6 patients (3%) with 6/18-6/48 in their better eye, and 2 patients (1%) equal or worse than 6/60 in their better eye.