Survey of diabetic retinopathy screening services in England and Wales

A postal survey of diabetologists was conducted regarding the provision of diabetic retinopathy screening services in England and Wales. About 2.5 million people had no existing or planned screening service. For the rest, the perceived percentage of patients with diabetes screened varied from less than 25% to more than 90%. Multiple modes of screening were used in most units. Lack of funding was identified as the major reason for non-provision of an adequate screening service. About 18% of the units had to use research or charitable funds for screening. Only 50% of the units using optometrists for screening had standard protocols for referral. The average wait before an ophthalmologist's opinion on sight threatening retinopathy detected by screening was unacceptably high in some units. We would suggest that establishment of identical screening protocols and provision of adequate funding on a national basis ought to be the priority if incidence of blindness from diabetic retinopathy is to be reduced according to the St Vincent Declaration.