Use of telemedicine in remote screening for retinopathy in type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Background: Telemedicine is developed to bridge the gaps in health care delivery systems. We evaluated the role of telemedicine in screening for diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods: The study population (T2DM > 1 year, aged 20–75 years) were screened for retinopathy using 3nethra royal non-mydriatic 3 megapixel fundus camera from Forus Health Private Ltd. The image is analyzed using telemedicine and the final report is generated within 30 min. The baseline demographic parameters were noted and the data were analyzed using appropriate statistical methods. Results: The study participants (196M:269F) had a mean age of 55.7 10 years and duration of diabetes of 10.4 6.78 years. The retinopathy screening resulted in a final diagnosis of normal fundus in 86%, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) in 11%, proliferative diabetic retinopathy in 2%, and clinically significant macular edema in 1% of patients. The NPDR is seen in mild (n = 20), moderate (n = 22), and severe (n = 9) forms. Conclusion: Our study highlights the importance and ease of telemedicine in screening of DR. The use of technology improved the access to a retinal specialist enabling the patients to receive comprehensive care under a single roof.