[Screening in ophthalmology : Stay healthy, recognize diseases early]

Screening is a strategy used in a systematic approach to identify an unrecognized disease or risk factors in individuals in a population without signs or symptoms. The test characteristics (specificity and sensitivity) and the prevalence of the disease are of vital importance for the achievable quality of prediction. Multidimensional decision-making must not only consider the benefits of screening but also its potential disadvantages, such as overtreatment, diagnostics of unclear findings and the psychological impact on healthy individuals. Besides medical, ethical and test theoretical considerations, economic considerations also have to be included in decision-making on a screening program. In Germany, a nationwide screening for diabetic retinopathy and regional programs for amblyopia screening exist. Screening for glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration is currently not funded by the statutory health insurance.