DISCOVER DIABETES - A COMMUNITY-BASED SCREENING-PROGRAM FOR DIABETIC EYE DISEASE

Aim. To evaluate a diabetic retinopathy screening programme for rural people with diabetes. Method. A retinal camera was transported to rura l Waikato communities. Colour slide photographs were taken of the reti na and lens of diabetic patients who had not had a previous review of their eyes by an ophthalmologist. The photographs were reviewed by an ophthalmologist, and those patients with an abnormality were referred back to their general practitioner who arranged further specialist ass essment. Results. Three hundred and ninety six patients have been scre ened and 116 patients have been referred on for specialist review. Fif ty two of these patients had evidence of diabetic retinopathy, eight h ave been treated with laser treatment and one patient has had retinal surgery. No patients had to be recalled for repeat photographs. Conclu sion. Retinal photography is an effective method of screening for sigh t threatening pathology in rural people with diabetes. Transportation of the retinal camera by station wagon is a practical way of making th e service accessible.