Nurse-Led Model in Diabetic Retinopathy Screening: An Exploratory Scoping Review of Nurses' Roles and Contributions

As the growing number of diabetic retinopathy (DR), the demands for screening requests and eye care services are expected to increase. While different screening models have been reported, there are several articles in literature of nurse-led DR screening. The purpose of this review was to define the roles and contributions of nurses in DR screening, identify the necessary supports required, and address the challenges that need to be resolved.

The literature search for the included articles was performed in the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science. This search was conducted from the start of May 2025. Two reviewers independently screened all articles. If predefined inclusion criteria were met, the studies were further descriptive content, and data were summarized and individually evaluated.

From a total of 126 citations, 15 articles were selected for inclusion in the final review. Currently, nine countries globally are actively developing and implementing nurse-led DR screening models, with Australia leading in the number of such programs. Our search of literatures demonstrated the roles and contributions of nurse-led DR screening encompass research and leadership, consultancy, health management, technical expertise, and data collection. The supports required and challenges faced include transforming traditional screening models, providing adequate training, securing financial resources, and enhancing career motivation.

The nurse-led model is a promising approach in DR screening that integrates eye examinations, diabetes education, data collection and fundus imaging within a single encounter, thereby improving efficiency and lowering costs. It may thus be considered a scalable approach for the future expansion of screening programs.