Potency of Teleopthalmology As A Detection Tool for Diabetes Retinopathy

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the effect of application of teleopthalmology for screening of diabetes retinopathy in diabetic patients. Methods: The retinal images of 1646 diabetic patients undergoing diabetes retinopathy screening through teleopthalmology in Nanchang First Hospital were collected for 30 months (January 2020 to June 2022). Retinal images were collected, stored by community general practitioner, and diagnosed by both community general practitioner and ophthalmologist of our hospital through teleopthalmology. Results: A total of 1646 patients with 3185 eyes were examined, including 1936 eyes of diabetes retinopathy. The accuracy of community general practitioner was acceptable, which gradually improved with time. Conclusions:Teleopthalmology is a detection tool for diabetes retinopathy, which makes it possible for community general practitioners to grade images with high accuracy after appropriate training through teleopthalmology.It is possible to solve the current shortage of eye care personnel.