A Report on the Use of Technician Ophthalmoscopy Combined with the Use of the Canon Non‐mydriatic Camera in Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy in the Community

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.