606-P: Point-of-Care Retinal Photography Is Effective in Identifying Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients Not Routinely Followed by Ophthalmology in the Intermountain West

Abstract

Early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) can reduce blindness risk by >90%. Due to limitations in access to specialized eye care, the majority of people with diabetes (PWD) are not screened routinely. This project aims to determine if implementation of a point-of-care retinal screening program for PWD not routinely followed by ophthalmology would be effective in detecting DR in the Intermountain West region of the U.S. PWD who had not had a dilated eye exam within the last year underwent fundus photography during a regularly scheduled diabetes visit at the University of Utah Diabetes and Endocrinology Center. Non-mydriatic retinal images were classified by a vitreoretinal specialist as to DR severity based on the International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy and Macular Edema Severity Scale. Abnormal findings were present in 49% of 116 patients imaged: Mild-moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) in 16%, moderate-severe NPDR in 13%, proliferative retinopathy in 4% and hypertensive retinopathy in 13%. Point-of-care retinal imaging effectively identified DR and other retinal conditions in the Intermountain West. The finding of serious eye conditions in PWD not routinely followed by ophthalmologists supports the importance of improving ease of access for eye screening in diabetes care. Disclosure M. Wahl: None. A. Haynes: None. M.L. Litchman: None. A. Fagerlin: None. R.K. Delaney: None. J. Neuberger: None. G.S. Adjei-Poku: None. M. Serrato: None. M. Hartnett: None. S. Fisher: None.