研究目的
To determine the incidence of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and other ocular findings in previously diagnosed diabetes using telehealth retinal screening with nonmydriatic fundus photography (nFP) in primary care physicians’ offices.
研究成果
The WEH Telehealth Screening Program has been successful in identifying DR and other eye pathologies in primary care settings using nFP. Approximately one in six patients with diabetes required a referral for a complete dilated examination. This primary care office screening of individuals at risk for DR may identify more than 5,000 visually asymptomatic patients requiring referral for a dilated eye examination and appropriate management to prevent further blinding complications.
研究不足
Certain demographic and clinical data, such as gender, race/ethnicity, health insurance status, past medical history of other systemic diseases, duration of diabetes, HbA1c levels, history of glycemic control, or blood pressure control, were not available. Significant media opacities limited the evaluation of some photos, and some peripheral fundus pathologies would not be detected using nFP. The percentage of DME detected in this study is likely an underestimate since stereophotography was not used.
