SURVEY OF DIABETIC-RETINOPATHY SCREENING SERVICES IN ENGLAND AND WALES

A postal survey of diabetologists was conducted regarding the provisio n of diabetic retinopathy screening services in England and Wales. Abo ut 2.5 million people had no existing or planned screening service. Fo r the rest, the perceived percentage of patients with diabetes screene d varied from less than 25 % to more than 90 %. Multiple modes of scre ening were used in most units. Lack of funding was identified as the m ajor reason for non-provision of an adequate screening service. About 18 % of the units had to use research or charitable funds for screenin g. Only 50 % of the units using optometrists for screening had standar d protocols for referral. The average wait before an ophthalmologist's opinion on sight threatening retinopathy detected by screening was un acceptably high in some units. We would suggest that establishment of identical screening protocols and provision of adequate funding on a n ational basis ought to be the priority if incidence of blindness from diabetic retinopathy is to be reduced according to the St Vincent Decl aration. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.