Discover diabetes: a community based screening programme for diabetic eye disease.

AIM

To evaluate a diabetic retinopathy screening programme for rural people with diabetes.

METHOD

A retinal camera was transported to rural Waikato communities. Colour slide photographs were taken of the retina and lens of diabetic patients who had not had a previous review of their eyes by an ophthalmologist. The photographs were reviewed by an ophthalmologist, and those patients with an abnormality were referred back to their general practitioner who arranged further specialist assessment.

RESULTS

Three hundred and ninety six patients have been screened and 116 patients have been referred on for specialist review. Fifty two of these patients had evidence of diabetic retinopathy, eight have been treated with laser treatment and one patient has had retinal surgery. No patients had to be recalled for repeat photographs.

CONCLUSION

Retinal photography is an effective method of screening for sight threatening pathology in rural people with diabetes. Transportation of the retinal camera by station wagon is a practical way of making the service accessible.