Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a major cause of blindness in England and Wales in those aged between 30 and 64. Photocoagulation can frequently prevent blindness provided the retinopathy is detected at an appropriate stage but unfortunately the benefits are small if the changes are advanced. Early detection of diabetic retinopathy by regular examination is needed. We have shown that ophthalmic opticians have the skill to detect retinal changes at a treatable stage. Out of 844 eye checks, 80 were reported by ophthalmic opticians to justify referral to an ophthalmologist and 20 of these required photocoagulation treatment. Of a sample of 197 patients rechecked by an ophthalmologist reported by ophthalmic opticians not to justify referral, only one needed treatment. With local agreement this system of detecting retinopathy could be easily applied anywhere in the United Kingdom. No extra personnel or facilities are needed.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Ghafour I. M., Allan D., Foulds W. S. Common causes of blindness and visual handicap in the west of Scotland. Br J Ophthalmol. 1983 Apr;67(4):209–213. doi: 10.1136/bjo.67.4.209. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Gilbert C. E., Armstrong S., Burns-Cox C., Dean Hart J. C. Screening of diabetics by ophthalmic opticians. Trans Ophthalmol Soc U K. 1982 Jul;102(Pt 2):249–252. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Klein R., Klein B. E., Moss S. E., Davis M. D., DeMets D. L. The Wisconsin epidemiologic study of diabetic retinopathy. II. Prevalence and risk of diabetic retinopathy when age at diagnosis is less than 30 years. Arch Ophthalmol. 1984 Apr;102(4):520–526. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1984.01040030398010. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Rubinstein K., Myska V. Pathogenesis and treatment of diabetic maculopathy. Br J Ophthalmol. 1974 Feb;58(2):76–84. doi: 10.1136/bjo.58.2.76. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Scobie I. N., MacCuish A. C., Barrie T., Green F. D., Foulds W. S. Serious retinopathy in a diabetic clinic: prevalence and therapeutic implications. Lancet. 1981 Sep 5;2(8245):520–521. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(81)90898-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]