Diabetic retinopathy screening in low-risk groups over the age of 80 years in Gloucestershire, UK

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to identify patients within the Gloucestershire Diabetic Eye Screening Programme (DESP) over the age of 80 years at low risk of developing treatable diabetic retinopathy (DR).SettingThe county of Gloucestershire, UK.MethodsThis study evaluated treatment outcomes between August 2005 and December 2025 for patients who were negative for retinopathy and maculopathy at the last screen before their 80th birthday (group A) and had one negative screen post 80 years (group A1) or two negative screens post 80 (group A2), and patients without a prior history of DESP attendance before the age of 80 but with one negative screen post 80 (group B).ResultsIn group A1, 4713 patients had 26,446 subsequent screening episodes; 280 were referred, with 8 requiring intravitreal treatment (IVT) for diabetic macular oedema (DMO), 4 requiring laser therapy, and 1 requiring both. In group A2, 2264 patients had 13,602 subsequent screening episodes; 3 were referred but only 1 required IVT for DMO. In group B, 3867 patients had 17,447 subsequent screening episodes; 275 were referred but only 1 required IVT for DMO.ConclusionsPolicy makers should consider whether it is in the best interest of elderly patients with a very low risk of developing treatable DR (groups A2 and B) to continue to invite them for screening for the rest of their life as they become increasingly frail.