Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy

Screening tests are performed in asymptomatic persons to assess for the presence of a particular disease or the risk of that disease. An effective screening test should reduce morbidity and mortality in a population by detecting disease at a stage at which treatment will make a difference. However, even when a screening test is considered to be effective, questions remain. At what age should screening begin or end? How frequently should screening be performed?In this issue of the Journal, Nathan et al., reporting for the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) and the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications . . .