Sight saving screening programme for diabetes

A new community-oriented digital eye-screening programmen, primarily designed to detect and treat diabetic retinopathy, has been a huge success since its launch seven months ago. The service, based in Nottingham, is expected to launch in other areas of the country.
The Nottingham Diabetic Retinopathy Service has been such a success in challenging retinopathy amongst diabetics, the leading cause of blindness in the developed world, that it will expand to between four and ten other locations. The Department of Health recently praised the centre in a national service framework report.
Further centres will open in a branch of Boots, two hospitals and two other health centres. The centre uses OptoMize iP, a novel digital imaging software and electronic patients records system developed by Digital Healthcare . Diabetics in Nottingham are invited to attend screenings, and a digital photograph is taken of the back of the eye .
Dr. Gazis, a supporter of the screening service and a diabetes consultant, commented: “Diabetic retinopathy is a symptomless disease that can have devastating effects but which is treatable with laser treatment if it is caught early on. The digital imaging service that we offer using Digital Healthcare’s software is the most effective way to identify the disease at an early stage. And we can also use this software to monitor for changes in eye condition by comparing images taken at different points in time.”