Researchers have found adjusting the frequency of eye screenings for type 1 diabetes patients based on their risk of severe eye problems would result in fewer eye exams at lower cost and quicker diagnosis and treatment of advanced retinopathy.
The findings are reportedly the latest from an ongoing study funded for more than 30 years by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Researchers reportedly analyzed about 24,000 retinal exams obtained over 30 years from about 1,400 participants in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial and its follow-up, the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications study (DCCT/EDIC).
Scientists reportedly found people with type 1 diabetes should get eye exams to detect diabetic retinopathy based on their risk, rather than on the automatic, annual schedule that is currently recommended. Based on their findings, DCCT/EDIC researchers suggest a more efficient screening strategy based on the presence and severity of retinopathy, as well as their current average blood glucose level.
According to researchers, the new individualized schedule would result in earlier detection of advanced retinopathy, and would reduce the frequency of eye exams. Over 20 years, the new schedule would reportedly result in eight exams on average — a greater than 50 percent reduction in eye exams compared with annual exams. Researchers estimate the reduction in exam frequency could lower screening costs by about $1 billion over 20 years.
The findings were recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Click here to read the full press release.
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Source: National Institutes of Health