Dr. RAJALAKSHMI

Abstract

Aim: To assess the prevalence of sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (STDR) detected by tele-ophthalmology in diabetes clinics.

Methods: People with diabetes (PWD) underwent screening for DR by fundus photography by eye-technicians in 25 diabetes clinics in 2017-18. They underwent clinical and biochemical assessment. DR was graded by the ophthalmologists using the International Clinical Classification of DR (ICDR) scale. STDR was defined as presence of Proliferative DR (PDR) and/or diabetic macular edema.

Results: The mean age of the 25,461 PWD screened was 55.3±11.3 years, the mean duration of diabetes 11.3±7.2 years and the mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was 8.8 ± 2.1% . Any DR was detected in 8194 (32.2% ) PWD and STDR requiring referral to ophthalmologist was detected in 2421 (9.5%) patients.

Conclusion: Teleophthalmology in diabetes clinics is a good option for DR screening since only around 10% of them required referral to ophthalmologist for management of STDR.