Authors' objectives:

To summarise the evidence relating to reducing the interval for diabetic retinal screening.

Authors' recommendations: This report is based on the premise that diabetic retinal screening is effective. The evidence for the benefits of reducing the screening interval comes from simulation models. The Committee concluded that these models do not provide sufficiently strong evidence for more than limited support for reducing the screening interval from two years to one year. Reducing the screening interval appears to produce a more favourable balance of benefits (sight saved) and costs in those programmes which retain patients until they require treatment, than in those which refer all diabetic related abnormalities for immediate specialist follow-up. The data suggest that more patients will become blind with a two-year interval than with an annual programme. There are unanswered questions relating to: the inter-relation of retinal screening with regular examination of diabetics for other problems; the follow-up regimes for patients referred to specialist services; and whether patient compliance with more intensive schemes is likely to produce the benefit predicted by screening models.

Authors' methods: Review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.wihrd.soton.ac.uk

Year Published: 1999

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England

Organisation Name: Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development

Contact Address: Pauline King. Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development, Boldrewood Medical School, Bassett Crescent East, Highfield, Southampton. SO16 7PX Tel. +44 1703 595661 Fax +44 1703 595662

Copyright: Wessex Institute for Health Research and Development (WIHRD)