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This paper describes a general practice based diabetic retinopathy screening service employing a technician trained in direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy and taking photographs with a Canon CR3 45 NM non‐mydriatic polaroid camera analysed by a consultant ophthalmologist to provide a comparison with the screener's opinion. Prospective data is presented from the first 1050 patients screened for diabetic retinopathy in the Exeter Health Authority area. Analysis of data collected showed a prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in the screened population of 27 %, 14 % previously undetected with a 0.5 % prevalence of sight‐threatening retinopathy. There was almost complete agreement between ophthalmoscopy findings and the consultant analysis of photographs. Screening costs were calculated at £10.38 per patient screened. A specially trained non‐medically qualified technician can provide a good quality cost‐effective screening service for diabetic retinopathy within a primary care setting.
Jacob et al. (Mon,) studied this question.