Diabetic Eye Screening Programs

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision loss among working age adults, and it often causes no symptoms until it is advanced. Because treatments such as laser photocoagulation and anti VEGF injections work best before vision is lost, many health systems have established systematic screening programs for people with diabetes.

The national program in England, which uses digital retinal photography graded by trained staff, is often cited as an example, and diabetic retinopathy is no longer the leading cause of certifiable blindness among working age adults there. Screening may be carried out by dilated examination or by retinal photographs, and artificial intelligence systems that grade retinal images automatically have been approved in several countries.

Screening intervals in guidelines vary according to the type of diabetes, the findings of previous screens, and circumstances such as pregnancy, during which retinopathy can progress more rapidly. Uptake of screening is lower in disadvantaged groups, and teleophthalmology is one approach used to extend access..