Examination compliance and screening for diabetic retinopathy: a 2-year follow-up study

Early detection and timely treatment of diabetic retinopathy can preserve v ision, yet many people with diabetes do not have their eyes examined regula rly. The purpose of this study was to examine eye care practices of people with diabetes who had not previously accessed eye care services on a regula r basis. Screening with non-mydriatic retinal photography for diabetic reti nopathy was initiated in 1996, and targeted people with diabetes who did no t access eye care services on a regular basis. Each test area was revisited 2 years after the initial screening. Patients that did not attend the bien nial screening were followed up by mail survey. Although none of the partic ipants in this study had been previously accessing eye care services on a r egular basis, 87% did so after attending the screening. These results indic ate that mobile screening with non-mydriatic photography, as an adjunct to current eye care services, has the potential to increase examination compli ance for diabetic retinopathy and to achieve sustained behaviour change.