Aims: Guidelines for regular screening of diabetic retinopathy (DR) have been published in the Spanish and European literature since 1992, but screening for DR is still in its early stages in Spain. The aim of this paper is to estimate the prevalence of screening coverage for DR and prevalence of DR itself using three-field digital non-mydriatic fundus photography to determine whether these guidelines had been implemented.
Methods: Data on age, gender, diabetes and previous eye examinations were recorded on a specially designed questionnaire. Three 45 degrees digital images per eye were taken using a three-field digital non-mydriatic fundus camera with two photographic procedures (both eyes versus the eye with the poorer visual acuity).
Results: A total of 183 patients with diabetes participated. The median age and duration of diabetes was 63 years and 10 years, respectively. Only six patients (3.3%) could not be completely graded. Screening coverage for DR was 38.5% in patients with type 2 diabetes and a duration less than 5 years versus those with longer diabetes duration (P=0.007); 20.5% of these patients had DR.
Conclusions: This study highlights the need for heightened awareness of the importance of screening for retinopathy in people with type 2 diabetes and duration of diabetes under 5 years.