The Georgia diabetic retinopathy screening study.
The diabetic retinopathy screening study represents a major collaborative effort of many volunteer groups interested in decreasing the risk of severe visual loss to Georgia citizens. Results of the present study have stimulated intense interest in screening more high risk persons, such as minorities, without the exclusion of whites. While age-related macular degeneration is the predominant cause of blindness in the U.S., diabetic retinopathy is a major new cause of blindness. With the continuation and completion of this study, we believe that many more of Georgia's citizens will seek ophthalmologic examinations and benefit from previous research regarding the use of laser photocoagulation and vitreoretinal surgery in preventing or reducing the risk of blindness. Since diabetic retinopathy requiring treatment can be present in patients with normal vision, such patients should obtain an annual dilated eye examination by an ophthalmologist. The value of statewide screening for undetected diabetic retinopathy, the determination of how and where to screen in order to give the most benefit to the potentially affected individuals and citizens of Georgia are only a few of the questions that may be answered when this study is completed. Moreover, to our knowledge this study is the first statewide screening for diabetic retinopathy in the United States.
Wilkes
S R
SR
Davidson
J A
JA
Munson
S
S
Freeman
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged