Improving diabetic retinopathy screening at the point of care: integrating telemedicine to overcome current challenges

To investigate the utility of point of care screening of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and the impact of a telemedicine program to overcome current challenges. This was a retrospective study on people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who were screened for DR using the single-field non-mydriatic fundus photography at the point of care during routine follow-up visits at endocrinology clinic. Retinal images were uploaded and sent to a retina specialist for review. Reports indicating retinopathy status and the need for direct retinal examination were transmitted back to the endocrinology clinic. All patients were informed about DR status and, if needed, referred to the retina specialist for direct retinal examination. Of the 1159 individuals screened for DR, 417 persons (35.98