Mitsios A
Community Medical Center of Farkadona, Greece
Title: Diabetic retinopathy-english practice in a greek setting
Biography
Biography: Mitsios A
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy screening programme in a local community in Greece based on available evidence from relevant screening programmes originally implemented in the United Kingdom. Diabetic retinopathy is a major complication of poorly controlled glucose control and constitutes the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes and a significant cause of blindness worldwide. Moreover, it represents a diagnostic challenge for the clinician in terms of appropriate classification and early detection, factors that can potentially impact on available treatment options. The goal of our scientific team was to establish an annual screening programme for patients with diabetes mellitus in order to timely diagnose diabetic retinopathy and appropriately refer patients for specialized treatment. During the time period between January and May 2016, we have examined 225 patients with diabetes mellitus. We have used a standardized form to obtain medical history in addition to a questionnaire specific to quality aspects of screening for diabetes mellitus complications. The fundoscopy was performed with the use of a slit lamp together with a Volk Digital Wide Field lens. The clinical assessment of the patients and classification of the observed clinical findings were based on guidance published by Public Health England in line with the scope of the NHS diabetic eye screening (DES) programme. The results of our project support our initial expectations that models of validated clinical practice could certainly be incorporated in the health care delivery of other countries and successfully enhance patient experience and provision of care.