BACKGROUND: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of acquired blindness in U.S. adults. Early detection prevents progression. Screening rates are only 10% in medically underserved populations. METHODS: A statewide telemedicine-based program within primary care centers was implemented to improve DR screening, detection and referrals for underserved patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, descriptive study. RESULTS: A total of 568 adults were screened during a comprehensive nurse visit from July 2009-June 2010 and had complete data available. Nearly 60% were minorities and 24% were uninsured. A total of 145 cases of DR were identified. The majority were recommended to return in one year for follow-up, while 75 were referred to a specialist. CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine using digital imaging technology in the primary care office is a strategy that can be used to screen underserved and at-risk patients for DR, increase compliance with screening, and streamline specialist referrals.
BACKGROUND:Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of acquired blindness in U.S. adults. Early detection prevents progression. Screening rates are only 10% in medically underserved populations. METHODS: A statewide telemedicine-based program within primary care centers was implemented to improve DR screening, detection and referrals for underserved patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, descriptive study. RESULTS: A total of 568 adults were screened during a comprehensive nurse visit from July 2009-June 2010 and had complete data available. Nearly 60% were minorities and 24% were uninsured. A total of 145 cases of DR were identified. The majority were recommended to return in one year for follow-up, while 75 were referred to a specialist. CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine using digital imaging technology in the primary care office is a strategy that can be used to screen underserved and at-risk patients for DR, increase compliance with screening, and streamline specialist referrals.
Authors: Cynthia Owsley; Gerald McGwin; David J Lee; Byron L Lam; David S Friedman; Emily W Gower; Julia A Haller; Lisa A Hark; Jinan Saaddine Journal: JAMA Ophthalmol Date: 2015-02 Impact factor: 7.389
Authors: Steven L Mansberger; Christina Sheppler; Gordon Barker; Stuart K Gardiner; Shaban Demirel; Kathleen Wooten; Thomas M Becker Journal: JAMA Ophthalmol Date: 2015-05 Impact factor: 7.389
Authors: Ge Song; Kengyeh K Chu; Sanghoon Kim; Michael Crose; Brian Cox; Evan T Jelly; J Niklas Ulrich; Adam Wax Journal: Transl Vis Sci Technol Date: 2019-06-28 Impact factor: 3.283
Authors: Marcus Kernt; Indrawati Hadi; Florian Pinter; Florian Seidensticker; Christoph Hirneiss; Christos Haritoglou; Anselm Kampik; Michael W Ulbig; Aljoscha S Neubauer Journal: Diabetes Care Date: 2012-08-21 Impact factor: 19.112