Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Edema Screening by Non-Physicians With Limited Training

Diabetic visual disabilities have increasingly become a global concern since a number of diabetic patients are expected to surge dramatically in the coming decade. Essential means to minimize this problem are detecting vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy early in the course of disease and timely interventions by ophthalmologists.

The American Diabetes Association had issued a guideline for the detection and recommended regular comprehensive eye examination as a preferred method. However, it is not likely that there will be ophthalmologists enough to comprehensively examine the surging number of diabetic patients. Other practical screening methods, such as an interpretation of digital retinal images or direct ophthalmoscopy employed by other health care providers, for identifying the retinopathy for referral to ophthalmologists, should minimize this problem.

Inclusion criteria

• diabetic patients defined by WHO criteria
• lived in the geographic area of participated hospitals

Exclusion criteria

• have contraindications for receiving mydriatic medications
• have ocular media not clear enough for making diagnosis by any of the screening equipment
• have other retina diseases precluded the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy