A report on the use of technician ophthalmoscopy combined with the use of the Canon non-mydriatic camera in screening for diabetic retinopathy in the community.
This paper describes a general practice based diabetic retinopathy screening service employing a technician trained in direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy and taking photographs with a Canon CR3 45 NM non-mydriatic polaroid camera analysed by a consultant ophthalmologist to provide a comparison with the screener's opinion. Prospective data is presented from the first 1050 patients screened for diabetic retinopathy in the Exeter Health Authority area. Analysis of data collected showed a prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in the screened population of 27%, 14% previously undetected with a 0.5% prevalence of sight-threatening retinopathy. There was almost complete agreement between ophthalmoscopy findings and the consultant analysis of photographs. Screening costs were calculated at 10.38 pounds per patient screened. A specially trained non-medically qualified technician can provide a good quality cost-effective screening service for diabetic retinopathy within a primary care setting.
Jacob
J
J
Exeter District Diabetes Centre, Devon, England.
Stead
J
J
Sykes
J
J
Taylor
D
D
Tooke
J E
JE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000592:standards*; D002648:Child; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009885:Ophthalmology; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D010781:Photography / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation