OBJECTIVE: To develop a screening protocol for detection of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy in south India. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We performed ophthalmic examinations, including posterior segment examination, using indirect ophthalmoscopy to detect sight-threatening retinopathy in patients with diabetes in screening camps targeting a high-risk population. RESULTS: We examined 3,949 persons with diabetes in 32 screening camps over a 13-month period beginning July 2001. Most of the patients (93.6%) were aware of their diabetic status, and 84.2% of those aware of their diabetes status were on treatment. One-fifth of those screened had evidence for any retinopathy; only 6.1% of these persons had evidence of past ophthalmic treatment for retinopathy. Only one-quarter of those diagnosed with worse than mild retinopathy came for follow-up to the base hospital within 2 months. CONCLUSIONS: Screening high-risk groups for sight-threatening retinopathy using indirect ophthalmoscopy may be a useful short-term alternative for India until retinal photography becomes affordable. In addition to strategies to improve coverage, strategies for better follow-up of subjects screened also need to be evolved.
OBJECTIVE: To develop a screening protocol for detection of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy in south India. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We performed ophthalmic examinations, including posterior segment examination, using indirect ophthalmoscopy to detect sight-threatening retinopathy in patients with diabetes in screening camps targeting a high-risk population. RESULTS: We examined 3,949 persons with diabetes in 32 screening camps over a 13-month period beginning July 2001. Most of the patients (93.6%) were aware of their diabetic status, and 84.2% of those aware of their diabetes status were on treatment. One-fifth of those screened had evidence for any retinopathy; only 6.1% of these persons had evidence of past ophthalmic treatment for retinopathy. Only one-quarter of those diagnosed with worse than mild retinopathy came for follow-up to the base hospital within 2 months. CONCLUSIONS: Screening high-risk groups for sight-threatening retinopathy using indirect ophthalmoscopy may be a useful short-term alternative for India until retinal photography becomes affordable. In addition to strategies to improve coverage, strategies for better follow-up of subjects screened also need to be evolved.
Authors: Martha E Ryan; Ramachandran Rajalakshmi; Vijayaraghavan Prathiba; Ranjit Mohan Anjana; Harish Ranjani; K M Venkat Narayan; Timothy W Olsen; Viswanathan Mohan; Laura A Ward; Michael J Lynn; Andrew M Hendrick Journal: Ophthalmology Date: 2015-07-16 Impact factor: 12.079