How to improve screening for diabetic retinopathy: the Burgundy experience

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a mobile diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening programme on the overall ophthalmological follow-up of diabetics in Burgundy.

The primary objective was to compare the rate of eye examinations, according to the information personnalisée aux professionnels de santé (IPPS; personalized information sent to health professionals) database, in diabetics before and after the screening campaign in selected zones. The secondary objectives were to compare the rate of eye examinations in diabetics before and after the screening programme in two different situations: with a mobile site; and with general practitioners (GPs) who teach in medical school. The impact of the different kinds of information on improving DR screening participation was also assessed.

The overall rate of ophthalmological visits did not change significantly before vs after the screening campaign (42.2% vs 41.8%; P=0.73), nor did the rate of ophthalmological visits in screened areas (44% vs 43%; P=0.58), compared with non-screened areas (41% vs 41%; P=0.99) and the sectors with GPs as teachers (47% vs 49%). Patients referred to the screening programme were mainly informed of the screening by flyers provided by the National Health System.

The DR screening campaign represents a major improvement in diabetic management, as around 80% of the screened patients with DR consulted an ophthalmologist after the screening campaign. However, the overall rate of diabetics having the recommended annual ophthalmological visit in the region of Burgundy remained unchanged.