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Program Description
The
Vanderbilt diabetic eye screening program is based on the concept that
it is easiest to screen diabetic patients in familiar surroundings. By
offering a screening opportunity at their family physician or primary
care provider’s office, diabetic patients appreciate the ease with
which their eyes are monitored for vision-threatening changes.
The Vanderbilt diabetic eye screening program incorporates the
following components:
· Visual acuity testing
· Pharmacologic dilation
· Patient education
· Imaging
· Transmission of data
· Analysis and reporting
Trained
retinal screeners administer the test, which only takes about 20 minutes
to perform. After measuring the patient’s vision, a short-acting
dilating drop is administered. Next, the patient is presented with information
about diabetes and the preservation of vision, using materials from the
National Eye Health Education Program. |
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The
next step, retinal imaging, creates two photographs of each eye, recording
the crucial center of the retina and some adjoining tissue. These
high-resolution digital images are captured on a computer. Patients
are given the opportunity to view these images, which increases compliance
and empowers them to consider useful lifestyle choices to preserve
their vision. |
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Retinal
Image (low
resolution) |
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| After
the screening session is concluded, the images are sent via secure
high-speed data links to the VOIC Reading Center, located in downtown
Nashville in the BellSouth Tennessee Headquarters Building, where
a team of expert graders examine the images and report their findings
to the primary care physician. If needed, the physician may arrange
for local specialists to examine and treat patients with significant
diabetic retinopathy. If no retinopathy is found, the patient is reminded
to obtain another screening examination in one year. In this way,
patients comply with the examination intervals recommended by the
American Diabetes Association and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. |
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Vanderbilt’s
Digital Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy Program is based on the
application of evidence-based medicine and is designed to be extremely
accurate and economically sustainable. It provides equity of care
across disparate populations and locations. Every patient is treated
with identical precision. With timely detection, every patient is
afforded the best chance for effective treatment.
In
the face of soaring rates of newly diagnosed people with diabetes,
and with millions more at risk in the near future, our program answers
the critical need for an effective method of identifying people
requiring urgent care to preserve their vision. |
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