[Fundus photography for the screening for diabetic retinopathy]

Despite the efficacy of laser photocoagulation to prevent complications of diabetic retinopathy, diabetic retinopathy remains a major cause of visual impairment and blindness in France. This is mainly due to a too late diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy. In an effort to detect diabetic retinopathy at an early stage before visual loss, international and national guidelines for the screening for diabetic retinopathy have been developed, which recommend annual fundus examination for all diabetic patients. In France, a recent survey showed that less than 50% of diabetic patients had had an eye examination during the previous year. With the increasing number of diabetic patients and the decreasing number of ophthalmologists, this situation should not improve by the next 15 years. Fundus photography is a method at least as sensitive as ophthalmoscopy in the screening for diabetic retinopathy. New nonmydriatic cameras and digital photography may allow a network organization of several screening centers around a central ophthalmological reading center where digital images could be transmitted. This organization should improve the screening for diabetic retinopathy, while saving medical time.